Mike Parker quits Grimsby Town board

Grimsby Town vice-chairman Mike Parker has resigned from the board.

A statement from Parker read: "There is not the appetite for change at board level which I had hoped for and been led to believe existed."

Town, who sit 10th in Blue Square Bet Premier, are looking for a new manager after sacking Neil Woods last week.

Lifelong fan Parker joined the club as a director in November 2009 and was promoted to vice-chairman in the summer after promising a £500,000 investment.

His statement added: "The board discussed the position of John Fenty as chairman. Again, I supported the board in backing John to continue as chairman.

I will remain a substantial shareholder in the club and I will continue to work in its best interests. At this stage, I see this being best done from outside the boardroom, rather than within it

Mike Parker

"However, for some time I have been pressing for other changes to be made in the club's board structure and believed that these changes had been agreed, but they were voted down by a board majority at the meeting.

"During this discussion I felt that my personal motives were being questioned, which I find unacceptable.

"Whilst the board has a membership of five, and decisions are taken by the board on the basis of 'one man one vote', rather than financial commitment to the club, then I believe that it will be very difficult for any meaningful changes to be implemented.

"It is for this reason that I have tendered my resignation.

"Previously I have committed to the club that I would share the funding of predicted losses going forward. As I am determined that my resignation will not threaten the club's finances, I will honour that commitment.

"With this in mind, and in the absence of any other board-sourced funding, I have proposed to John that I purchase additional shares, likely to take my shareholding to £1m.

"Clearly I will remain a substantial shareholder in the club and I will continue to work in its best interests. At this stage, I see this being best done from outside the boardroom, rather than within it. As a lifelong fan I will always have the best interests of the club at heart and hope for every success in the future."