Gary Johnson’s men will be looking to continue their recent run of good form when they head to Grimsby Town tomorrow afternoon.
Who’s the Boss?
Paul Hurst is currently enjoying his second stint at the helm at Blundell Park. His first spell at the Lincolnshire side lasted five and a half years and Hurst guided the side back to the Football League via the play-offs in 2016. The 47-year-old went on to manage Shrewsbury Town, Ipswich and Scunthorpe before returning to Grimsby in December 2020.
Hurst enjoyed much success during his managerial spell in charge at Shrewsbury between October 2016 and May 2018, during which he guided the Shrews to the EFL Trophy final in April 2018 only to be narrowly defeated by Lincoln. One month later the side returned to Wembley for the League One Play-Off Final where his side were defeated by Rotherham United in extra time.
The former defender began his managerial career at Ilkeston Town where he enjoyed success, guiding the side to victory in the Northern Premier League Play-Off Final. Hurst then moved on to Boston United where his side were promoted into the Conference North before departing for his first stint at Grimsby in March 2011.
During his first stint at the Mariners, Town made the play-offs on four consecutive occasions before being promoted back into the EFL in 2016 following a play-off final victory over Forest Green Rovers.
He spent his entire playing career at Rotherham United, with the exception of a loan spell at Burton Albion in his final year as a player. A left-back by trade, Hurst made over 400 appearances for Rotherham between 1993 and 2008 and was part of the side that won the Football League Trophy Final in 1996, and promoted twice.
How have they been doing?
In similar style to United, Grimsby Town have also enjoyed a spell of good form recently with four wins in their last five. Last time out the Mariners won 1-0 away at King’s Lynn, and came from behind three days prior to run out 2-1 winners over ten-man Stockport. Paul Hurst’s men currently sit 6th in the play-off positions, nine points ahead of United, but having played one game more.
Player to Watch
Harry Clifton penned a two-year deal with the Mariners at the age of 17 after coming through their youth ranks. After signing his first professional contract, in a bid for game time and experience the forward enjoyed a spell at Grantham Town where he was a key component in the side’s push for promotion in 2016/17 and scored 6 goals in 47 appearances.
The midfielder has been a regular in the Grimsby squad this season and has scored 6 goals in 36 league appearances, his most recent coming in the side’s 4-1 victory away at Chesterfield earlier this month.
The 23-year-old’s versatility has seen him deployed in a number of roles during the season from central midfield to the wing, but Clifton predominantly favours a left-centre-midfield position.
Played for Both
Martin Gritton enjoyed two spells on the English Riviera. The former forward began his career at Plymouth Argyle in 1998, where he remained for four years. Gritton’s first spell at Plainmoor was between 2002 and 2004, during which he scored 23 goals in 93 appearances, before moving to Blundell Park in December 2004 where he netted 6 in 49 games.
Spells at Lincoln City, Macclesfield and Chesterfield preceded a move back to United on a 6 month loan deal from the Spireites which saw him make 12 appearances.
Gritton went on to play for the likes of Chester, Yeovil Town, Stockport County, and Truro City before retiring from playing in 2012. In his professional career, the now 43-year-old played over 350 games and scored 71 goals.
Previous Encounter
Grimsby Town 2 – 2 United, Saturday 22nd August 2015, National League.
Back in 2015, it was two second half goals from Grimsby Town at Blundell Park that forced a share of the points in what was a game of two halves. United took the lead on 19 minutes when a James Hurst cross deep into the box found Joe Quigley who headed home.
United’s lead was doubled in unusual fashion, as an Exodus Geohaghon cross was headed in by Matt Robinson in black and white stripes to register an own goal. However after leading for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Robinson reduced the deficit with a 30-yard strike going beyond Fabian Spiess.
With ten minutes to go a Danny East cross found Padraig Amond who headed home to level the scores which saw the game end 2-2.