John Fenty

[3][4] Since April 2013, Fenty is the business mentor and commercial adviser to IT support company E-Tech Solutions based in Grimsby.

In December 2020, he resigned as deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council following links with convicted fraudster Alex May being reported in local media.

[11] Under Fenty the club seemed to be building solid foundations for the future despite a huge unpaid tax bill, in the region of £700,000, to HM Revenue and Customs relating to the seasons following the ITV digital collapse.

Some argue his loans and willingness to invest in further shares have kept the club from going out of business on numerous occasions whilst others argue that his poor judgement and decision making is the major contributing factor to the huge financial losses and that the decision to appoint the novice Neil Woods as manager in November 2009 ahead of Slade and the subsequent run of 20 winless league games at the start of Woods' tenure ultimately consigned Grimsby Town to relegation.

Ofcom considered that the complaint had, in effect, been resolved by the BBC, and therefore found in the context of the subsequent broadcasts no unfairness resulted to Fenty.

In his finding he said that Fenty had "acted recklessly" in his dealings with the said agent by relying on his word with regards to Scott and Hurst's breach of contract.

[19] He remained the club's chief spokesperson and continued as de facto chairman until Philip Day was officially appointed to the role in May 2020.

[24] It was announced the May's investment would be used to fund the cost of a new training facility, but following a backlash from supporters the club eventually decided to reject May's offer.

[29] On 16 December 2020, a consortium led by London-based businessman Tom Shutes met with chairman Phillip Day with the view of buying the club via the purchase of Fenty's shares.

[30] This led to Ian Holloway publicly hitting out at Fenty and potential investors, whilst re-affirming his position as the club's manager saying that he stands with the fans but was finding it increasingly hard to do his job.

Club legend and record appearance holder John McDermott laid the blame on Fenty saying he felt sad and angry.

I’m angry in a way because it’s not from the players’ point of view, it’s been from the top, and we all know where, but people in there have allowed him to do it, so they’re just as much to blame as he is.” [41] On 5 May 2021, Fenty officially left the club having been bought out by Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit, two of the original Shutes consortium members.