News

Grimsby councillors gave the go-ahead for Grimsby Town to build a new

20,100 capacity stadium on the outskirts of the town.

Grimsby Town Hall erupted in celebration as it was announced

that the local council had reversed July's decision to oppose

the proposal by an overwhelming majority of twenty votes to

nine.

The vote, which followed a lengthy four hour debate,

represented almost a complete U-turn, after the plans seemed

dead and buried during the summer as a result of the council

turning down the proposal by twenty votes to

twelve.

The application will now be submitted to Deputy Prime Minister

John Prescott, who will decide whether or not the matter

merits a public enquiry.

Grimsby Town vice-chairman Bryan Huxford said "Today's a great

day for Grimsby Town, and a great day for Grimsby."

"I cannot believe it, it is great. It is a decision we have

been longing for and we are delighted. We can get on now."

The man in charge of the development, Gerald Knight commented

"This is obviously the biggest hurdle and we have worked very

hard to get this done.

"We're naturally delighted."

The club hopes that the new stadium, to be constructed at

Great Coates, will be completed by 2002.

Chinese captain Zhang Enhua has joined Grimsby Town on a

four-month loan, just a day after he arrived at Blundell Park

for a trial.

The 27-year-old defender is looking to leave Dalian Shide and

had a trial at Southampton earlier in the year.

Enhua, who has played 90 games for his country, is the latest

player to join The Mariners on loan, but manager Lennie

Lawrence said that he thinks he will be the last for the time

being.

"It will be for the short term because it will make five loans

and we can t keep on doing it," he said. "At the moment

there's no more planned."