Football Season Guide

Paul Hurst pulled off something of a minor miracle as he guided Grimsby Town back into the Football League at the first time of asking. The Mariners were in a complete mess when he failed to save them from the drop in 2021 with the takeover by Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit coming just too late. They were able to regroup last summer but found an extremely competitive National League hard going and just managed to scrape into the play-off places. An extra-time comeback win over Solihull Moors in the play-off final at the London Stadium saw them seal an unlikely promotion and they head into the new season full of optimism. Several of the squad have signed new deals this summer, including goalkeeper Max Crocombe and full-back Michee Efete, who showed plenty of potential. The team has a strong spine in ever-present centre-back Luke Waterfall, midfielder Gavan Holohan, who was surprisingly allowed to leave Hartlepool United in March, and attacking midfielder John McAtee, who has finally started to realise the potential he showed at Scunthorpe United. Hurst has been busy in the transfer market too with the signings of midfield trio Bryn Morris, Otis Khan and Stephen Wearne. He has also raided FC Halifax Town for centre-back Niall Maher and midfielder Kieran Green whilst full-back Anthony Glennon has returned on a permanent deal from Burnley. He will be looking to strengthen his attack before the window closes but with momentum behind them, the Mariners will be looking to avoid any relegation battle and push for a top-half finish.