THOMAS SARGENT
@ nousrembobinons
Last season was epic. We flew out of the blocks, then back out of the top seven after going four points clear at the top, but eventually went on to win the play- offs by going to extra time in every round, beating Hollywood FC ( AKA Wrexham) 5- 4 in the semi- finals before seeing off Solihull.
The big talking point is will there be enough seats at Blundell Park to get everyone in? Our key player will be John Mcatee [ above] - his goals and assertiveness drove our promotion charge. Our most underrated player is Harry Clifton [ below]. He’s Grimsby born and bred, and has played in pretty much every position for us. The opposition player who grinds my gears is midfielder Ben Fox. He left us for Northampton and will no doubt be a thorn in our side when we face them.
I’m least looking forward to playing
Newport away - we’ve got a terrible record at their place.
Fans think our owners are saviours. Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit are Town fans, too.
Look out for any of the four starlets – Aaron Braithwaite, Jamie Bramwell, Edwin Essel or Harvey Tomlinson – who have signed professional deals. The opposition player I’d love here is
Paddy Madden at Stockport.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that Paul Hurst has probably cemented his place in the top five greatest Grimsby managers ever, but a small minority still have it in for him. His strength is finding good players who embody the team ethic; his weakness is being too cautious at times. If he left, he should be replaced by
Steve Watson. He did well at Gateshead when they were in administration, then had spells at York and Chester.
The pantomime villain will be Ian Holloway when he inevitably appears on televised Football League coverage and has to talk about us. The one change I’d make would be turning the Pontoon Stand into a safestanding horseshoe paddock.
I won’t be happy unless fans realise that perspective is all- important over a full season. I am, therefore, doomed.
We’ll finish in the promotion places.
FFT VERDICT
18TH
The Mariners have bounced back into the Football League, with the right ownership regime and a good manager in Hurst. Losing Fox in midfield will hurt and Grimsby may not make an instant impression on the league, but the foundations for growth are most definitely in place.