Grimsby exit 'hugely disappointing', says tournament chief
TOURNAMENT director Mike Bradshaw has reacted angrily to Grimsby Town's withdrawal from the Errea South West Challenge Cup.
The Mariners have pulled out of this evening's final against Luton Town after failing to get the scheduled 6pm kick-off time changed to the afternoon.
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A statement on Grimsby's official website blames fears of crowd trouble for their withdrawal, although it is thought they were also concerned about a schedule that left them facing five games in five days.
Royal Racing FC Montegnee, the Belgian side who lost their two Group B games, will instead meet Luton at Bideford's Sports Ground this evening.
In a statement on the tournament's website, Bradshaw said: "The first indication of this unwelcome and hugely disappointing development came some 15 minutes before the end of a superb game we had been watching at Appledore involving Grimsby and Rushden and Diamonds (the semi-final which Grimsby won 4-1).
"Frankly it felt like we had been presented with an ultimatum: you either change the kick-off time or we don’t play.
"Having explained fully the plans already laid which we felt more than adequate to handle the potential for any disruption, it was quickly evident that we were in danger of being bounced into an unwarranted change of time with untold consequences for our own staff, that of Luton Town, their fans and the wider supporter base attracted to the tournament.
"In the final analysis, I cannot make anybody play a game they patently do not wish to play.
"Furthermore, I do take our responsibility for public safety very seriously. We have completed 12 matches without a single incident of spectator disturbance and I believe that our professional reputation and that of my support team has now been seriously questioned by this development.
"I know we are blameless and my sole responsibility now is to the two teams who will contest the final. We owe the paying public a finale and that is exactly what we will deliver on Sunday."
5 Comments
by abers, Luton
Monday, July 20 2009, 10:23AM
“If Grimsby were genuinely worried about crowd trouble, why did they initially ask to have the kick off time changed?
I fail to see how 15.00 kick off (as opposed to 18.00) would have averted any supposed trouble.
The real reason was a lack of organisation on the part of the Mariners, leading to fixture congestion.
It was diesrespectful to the tournament organisers to try and change things at the 11th hour and then wholly ridiculous to invent a crowd trouble scenario to justify their withdrawal.”
by Jim, Barnstaple
Sunday, July 19 2009, 9:29PM
“Grimsby were perfectly aware of the arrangements when they applied to participate in the tournament - how dare they hold the tournament organisers and Luton Town to hostage?
I hope that Grimsby are not asked to participate on future occassions, and certainly under the current management they are not welcome to return.
Congratulations to Luton on winning the tournament, I wish them all the best in regaining their league status, which Grimsby would have lost if Luton had not received such a ludicrous points deduction.
Thank you to the tournament organisers, I hope Newall and Grimsby's behaviour hasn't tarnished the tournament, and that it will return next year (minus Grimsby of course!)”
by John Foster, Portland,Maine,USA
Sunday, July 19 2009, 2:24PM
“It seems to me that Mike Bradshaw is full of his own importance,whilst it was a good little tournament it was ,as Mike Newell said a training exercise,if the police also suggest changing the time to 3pm why didnt Mr Bradshaw agree,as it seems he has done on some of the posts but he has been bullied by the top brass of a non league conference side...namely Luton Town”
by ?, grimsby
Sunday, July 19 2009, 12:43PM
“stupid luton, it's their fans' fault- not towns. i have a message for them- CONFERENCE :)”
by Mariner Fan, Aberdeen
Sunday, July 19 2009, 8:42AM
“I've heard from people at the match that Mike Newell was threatened by Luton fans who were at Grimsby's semi-final. It's a shame Town have pulled out but it's perfectly understandable.”