Grimsby Town FC - Mighty Mariners

http://i59.tinypic.com/34jf3g9.jpg

My aims

1. Earn promotion to the Football League in my first season as Grimsby manager.
2. Get to the Championship within 5 seasons of promotion to League 2.
3. Get promoted to the premier league within 3 years.
4. Win the FA Cup and consolidate position in the premier league within 3 years.
5. Challenge for the Premier League title and become a force in Europe

A Brief History of Grimsby

Grimsby Town were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham Football Club. They were admitted to the Football League in 1892 and were promoted to the first division in 1901 but subsequently fell out of the league. Their highest league placing was in 1934-35 as they finished 5th. In the 1980s and 90s they spent most of their time in division 2 and won their last trophy in 1998 when they won the Football League Trophy. However three relegations in recent years have seen them flounder in the Conference.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2r56a11.jpg

Good luck

Good luck. It will definitely be a difficult challenge.

Best of luck, and it'll be a tough way there

Hurst Sacked

Grimsby Town have sacked Paul Hurst from his post as manager at the seaside club. Hurst said ‘I am disappointed to be leaving such a great club however I hope that Grimsby can have success in the future. When asked if he knew who his replacement would be he responded that he does know and that ‘he has been at this before and I know a lot of fans will be glad to have him back as first team manager’. John Fenty said that ‘unfortunately Hurst failed to gain promotion last year and I’m not sure he would have been able to achieve it this year and that is why he has been sacked.’

http://i62.tinypic.com/311l8og.jpg

Justice Thanks.

Jamesg237 yeah I know but if it was easy it would be boring.

Pauker Thanks, hope I can do it

Play-Off hero Donovan returns to the Mariners
Grimsby Town announced their new manager who will replace Paul Hurst who failed to gain promotion with Grimsby last season. Donovan started his footballing career at Huddersfield after being scouted while playing for youth club Elland Athletic. However Donovan only made 20 appearances for Huddersfield as well as being loaned out to Halifax before signing for West Bromwich Albion. After a successful 5 year spell he moved to Grimsby and scored the winning goal in the Division 2 Play-off Final. For this he was seen as a hero by many of the fans. After his two year spell he moved to three more clubs before the end of his career. He was working as the Brighouse FC youth coach and this job will give him his first job in management.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2co3h4i.jpg

One Grimsby Town fan said that he thought the ‘appointment of an unemployed manager was a mistake’ but others reacted by saying that ‘he can guide us to promotion’. John Fenty said he is ‘happy to welcome Donovan back to Grimsby’ and spoke about his hopes of promotion.

http://i59.tinypic.com/34jf3g9.jpg

Pre-Season Review

Pre-Season was one of mixed fortunes for us. With 3 victories coming against easy teams Corby (4-0) and Scarborough (6-2) as well as a good victory over St Johnstone (1-0). We also gained a draw against League 2 opponents Bury (1-1) and a respectable defeat due to two late goals against Chievo (1-3). However our slaughter at home to Chesterfield (1-4) has raised questions over whether we would be able to challenge for promotion.


http://i62.tinypic.com/2d7xx6h.jpg

Tactics

http://i60.tinypic.com/2vkbz4l.jpg

I have chosen to adopt a simple 4-5-1 tactic for this season. This tactic has been chosen as it will enable us to dominate games in midfield against teams who normally use 4-4-2. We will play attacking football as the quick pace of this will enable us to hopefully cut through defences.

The Squad

In terms of outgoing players there has only been one. Shaun Pearson left just before the Nuneaton home game in late August for a fair sum of money. However we have strengthened the squad considerably. Callum Barrett was signed on a free early on. Threlkeld from Bolton for 20k and Curtis from Gateshead were brought in to strengthen our defence after Pearson’s departure.

http://i59.tinypic.com/28rjzhu.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/34jf3g9.jpg

First Quarter August/September 2013/14

Aldershot (h) 2-2
It was a shaky start to the season as Hatton gave us an early lead with a penalty. However two Bubb penalties saw us 2-1 behind despite the sending off of Jamie Tank. However Liam Hearn scored to grab the deserved point.

Gateshead (a) 2-0
We won this game with ease. A Doig header before half time gave us the lead before a McLaughlin goal on 57 minutes handed us victory.

Welling (a) 2-1
On loan striker Tounkara scored early to give us the lead before Hannah scored the second after 40 minutes. Welling got a late consolation goal through Pires but we held on to get a good result.

Alfreton (h) 2-1
We kept our good form going with victory over Alfreton. Our habit of scoring early continued as Thanoj scored after 3 minutes. Kerr doubled the lead after 55 but poor defending allowed Akinde to score setting up a nervy finish.

Hyde (a) 1-0
A late Paddy McLaughlin goal settled a tight encounter against Hyde. I was disappointed with our inability to take the lead earlier against such minnows but at least we won.

Nuneaton (h) 0-3
Our first defeat of the season came with an awful performance. Even the departure of Pearson is no excuse for such a performance. We were 2-0 down at half time and got caught on the counter for the third.

Luton (a) 3-1
After two new defensive signings were brought in, our strikers were the ones who performed. Hannah scored twice in the first half before Southwell added the third after 48 minutes. Benson scored a late consolation for Luton.

Braintree (h) 3-0
This was actually quite a tight game and I was very impressed with Braintree. However they couldn’t score and were 3-0 down at half time as we took victory.

Halifax (a) 1-1
This was a poor performance for us. Halifax took the lead after an error from Curtis allowed Jackson to score. We then had Kerr sent off but stole a point after 78 minutes with a Neilson goal.

Chester (a) 2-3
Our second loss of the season. Our first half was woeful and we could have been further behind but Southwell and John Lewis scored to draw us level. McKeown then cost us the game with the worst keeping mistake ever.

Dartford (h) 4-2
Dartford took a surprise lead after 2 minutes however McLaughlin and Tounkara put us ahead before half time. An equaliser for Dartford immediately after half time shocked us and it took until the 83rd minute for Neilson to put us ahead before Hatton scored a last minute penalty to add gloss to the score.

Tamworth (h) 1-1
An action packed first 10 minutes saw Kerr give us the lead before Reindorf equalised for Tamworth. It could have went either way in a boring second half.

http://i61.tinypic.com/j6pnxs.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/27wygjm.jpg

Player of the month

http://i62.tinypic.com/1z53zo8.jpg

McLaughlin played consistently well in each of his seven games and has helped us to some important victories paticularily in August and although he has been left out for several games due to the size of the squad in those that he has played he has stood out as one of our better players.

Nice results there mate, keep it up and you'll get promoted in no time!
good luck

captainbrickarms: thanks mate

http://i59.tinypic.com/34jf3g9.jpg

Quarter 2 October/December 2013-14

Skrill Premier

We had a great month in October where we won all three games. We dominated and won comfortably by 3 goals at Aldershot before defeating Cambridge 2-1, as well as Salisbury and Forest Green 2-0.

However we suffered a wobble in November and only won one game all month. A 1-1 draw with Woking was followed up by a 2-0 defeat against struggling Tamworth. We got a 2-1 home win over Welling but only just managed to steal a point at home to Barnet.

In December we hit form with two victories over Southport and Forest Green to set up an extremely important home game against table topping Kidderminister.

Kidderminister (h)
We were quickly ahead with a goal from Alex Rodman after 6 minutes. We doubled our lead on 18 minutes and looked set to hit top of the league. However Kidderminister didn’t give up. They grabbed a goal just after half time and looked likely to score another. We just held on to leapfrog them in the league table.

http://i59.tinypic.com/v3du9g.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/10x7e4i.jpg

FA Cup

Wrexham (a) 1-0
Something I have learnt about Grimsby is that we can’t do anything the simple way. We were shambolic for the first 80 minutes then had Threlkeld sent off before John Lewis scored the winner after 82 minutes.

Wycombe (h) 2-0
Again we showed our trait of not doing things the simple way. We easily outplayed the Wycombe side in the first 40 but failed to score. Then Doig was sent off. However we continued to outplay them and after Hatton opened the scoring with a free-kick we won easily.

Walsall (a) 0-1
Every good thing comes to an end and our cup run was no exception we played well but a Walsall goal just before half time sealed our fate.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2gvq7ev.jpg

FA Trophy

Blyth (a) 1-0
The worst performance of the season so far. However a late McDonald goal just won the game against the far inferior opposition.

Halifax (a) 2-0
Two first half goals sealed this victory early in the first half. We are now in the 3rd round where we will play Dartford at home.

http://i59.tinypic.com/5cj69k.jpg

Player of the Quarter

http://i60.tinypic.com/2q86f7q.jpg

Threlkeld has been in inspired form of late. His solid defensive play has helped us on many occasions and has yet to cause a goal via a stupid mistake. I expect him to get better as he grows older and he has certainly made a good start since signing.

Good luck!

Jonaldinho: thank you

http://i59.tinypic.com/34jf3g9.jpg

The Big Game: Lincolnshire Derby No1: Preview

Chris Parkin: hello and welcome to BBC Radio Lincolnshire for our coverage of today’s game between Lincoln City and Grimsby. I have David Burns who previously commentated on Grimsby games alongside us today.
David Burns: hello.
Chris Parkin: Ok let’s get down to business this is obviously a very important game for both sides.
David Burns: Yes Grimsby have been in good form lately and could pull further clear if they win today.
Chris Parkin: Yes but Lincoln will be up for this local derby as a victory could inspire them to keep afloat. Let’s find out the thoughts of Grimsby manager Kevin Donovan.
Kevin Donovan: Hello Chris and David.
Chris Parkin: Are you confident that your side can claim a result today.
Kevin Donovan: Yes we got a great victory on Saturday against Kidderminister and that has given us great confidence coming into this local derby.
Chris Parkin: Thanks for that but we have only five minutes to kick off so I’ll let you go.
David Burns: So let’s recap the teams.

http://i57.tinypic.com/dpwvep.jpg

Chris Parkin: And if you are a betting man remember Lincoln are 7-1, a draw is 3-1 and Grimsby are 1-3.
David Burns: so Chris what do you think the score will be.
Chris Parkin: I think Lincoln can hold Grimsby to a draw today. How about you.
David Burns: I think a comfortable 3-0 victory for Grimsby.
Chris Parkin: That concludes are pre-match coverage stay tuned for commentary.