Football Season Guide

National League

England

National League

2015/2016

Grimsby Town

In

Nathan Arnold (mid), Cambridge), Josh Gowling (def), Kidderminster), Marcus Marshall (mid), Morecambe), Richard Tait (def), Cambridge), Danny East (def), Portsmouth), Padraig Almond (att), Morecambe), Andy Monkhouse (r)(mid), Bristol Rovers), Omar Bogle (att), Solihull Moors)

Out

Hamish Watson (sp)(att), Patrick McLaughlin (sp)(mid), Gateshead), Nick Draper (sp)(gk), Alfreton), Carl Magnay (r)(def), Hartlepool), Paul Walker (sp)(def), Spalding), Christian Jolley (sp)(att), Ross Hannah (sp)(att), Chester), Paul Bignot (sp)(def), Keflavik), Lenell John-Lewis (k)(att), Newport County), Chris Doig (sp)(def), retired), Ollie Palmer (r)(att), Mansfield - end of loan), Danny Parslow (r)(def), York - end of loan)

Grimsby will be absolutely hellbent to finally end the frustration of recent years and complete their journey back to the Football League at long last this season. The Mariners have made it to the play-offs three seasons in a row now, a model of consistency in this league that needs to be respected, but have tripped up in the most important stage in each of their attempts to secure the coveted promotion. They were agonisingly close in the final against Bristol Rovers back in May this year, only to come up short in the penalty shoot-out for a painful defeat. But these disappointments have only made Paul Hurst and his side stronger and they will draw on the motivation not to suffer such deflation again as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. It is hard to look beyond the Mariners as a main contender for the title as they have the experience, nous and quality to go all the way. It is the mental baggage that is a concern after that loss in the final last season but Hurst has shown his desire to move on and not dwell on the past. His squad is strong and capable of going all the way, with some strong additions made over the summer. Andy Monkhouse won promotion with Bristol Rovers last season and will bring good presence and deliveries from wide area, Padraig Almond is a decent striker who should thrive at this level, and Richard Tait is a solid and uncompromising defender. The most interesting signing is that of Omar Bogle, easily the best player in the Conference North last season. The extremely prolific marksman, with 29 goals in the last season alone and 63 over the last three campaigns, arrives from Solihull Moors and will be determined to seize the chance and show his quality. He comes as a direct replacement for Lenell John-Lewis, the powerhouse of a striker who moved to Newport County and leaves a sizeable gap up front. Carl Magnay, an excellent and versatile defender, is the other more important departure. On the other hand, the likes of Nathan Arnold and Josh Gowling are still around after turning their loan deals into permeant ones. Mainstays like Craig Disney, Shaun Pearson and James McKeown are still around too and this is vital ahead of the new season. Grimsby definitely start as the main favourites for the title and have what it takes to go all the way at last.

Target

Look in good position to challenge for the title as experience and quality are on their side.