Police asked to investigate 'perverse' attempts to humiliate Grimsby Town's chief executive

                                             

Blundell Park home of Grimsby Town FC whose chief executive has been subject to abuse (photo: GTFC)

THE  police have been alerted by Grimsby Town FC over allegedly "malicious comments" posted online via Twitter.

These have proved hurtful to staff - especially to the main target of hostility, the club's chief executive, Debbie Cook.

This afternoon, the club posted the following statement: "We recognise our supporters and the wider community wish to be able to have a say with regards to the running of their club, and we welcome the opportunity to engage through all channels.

"However, over the last few weeks, several of our staff and members of the Mariners Trust have been subjected to malicious comments through an anonymous Twitter account.

"In particular, Debbie Cook, our chief executive, has been personally targeted in a misogynistic and demeaning manner.

"We are sickened and appalled by the comments, some of which have been of a sexual, derogatory and discriminatory nature.  

"Many of the tweets have been perverse, degrading and targeted in a way to undermine and humiliate Debbie."

The statement continues: "In legal terms, this behaviour amounts to harassment and is something that the club condemns in the strongest terms. 

"Harassment and discrimination of any sort, whether it is face to face or through social media platforms will not be tolerated.

"There is no place for it in football, and it goes against all of our club values.

"We have reported the matter to the police who are investigating who is behind the Twitter account. 

"We will continue to work with the authorities to support the investigation and once an individual has been identified, apart from any criminal proceedings, the club will also take the strongest possible action.

"We have advised Debbie to disable her Twitter account until this matter has been dealt with."

The statement concludes: "Debbie continues to have our full support in taking our club forward and we wish to express our thanks to her for the steps she is taking to make GTFC a more progressive football club."