A closer look at the Mariners ahead of their cup clash with the Whites this weekend
Ahead of Wanderers' Emirates FA Cup meeting with Grimsby Town, bwfc.co.uk takes a closer look at the Mariners…
SEASON SO FAR…
Having won promotion back to Sky Bet League Two via the play-offs back in May, Grimsby in turn brought to an end a six-year exodus from the English Football League.
Relegated to non-league back in 2010 after finishing 23rd in the division’s standings, it has been a tough time since for the Mariners as they battled to return to the fourth tier of English football and following a number of close calls in recent years, they finally tasted success just six months ago.
Defeating Forest Green Rovers 3-1 at Wembley Stadium on May 15, Town had previously lost out in the semi-finals of the play-offs in 2013 and 2014 before suffering the agony of defeat at the national stadium last year.
With that disappointment now firmly behind them however, the club have certainly wasted no time in making their mark on Sky Bet League Two and after 15 outings, currently sit just a point shy of the top six in the division.
They were however dealt something of a blow last month however as manager Paul Hurst announced his departure with him having since taken over the reins of Sky Bet League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town.
Under the stewardship of Dave Moore – a former Town player - at the time of writing meanwhile, the east-coast outfit will be hoping to build on what has undoubtedly been a positive start to life back in the Football League.
And set to pit their wits against Wanderers for the first time in 15 years this afternoon, the Town faithful will be hopeful that they can replicate their league form in their cup exploits today.
This competition hasn’t generally been too kind to the Mariners in recent years – they have failed to make it past the first round in five of the last ten seasons – but that statistic will no doubt be an added incentive for the club to banish as they look to build on their early season exploits.
With the Whites meanwhile set to feature at this stage of the tournament for the first time in over two decades meanwhile, Phil Parkinson’s men will be keen to extend their winning run of late and book their place in the hat for the next round come 5pm Saturday.
RECENT FORM
- L 1-0 – Leicester City U23s H -Checkatrade Trophy, 4/10/2016
- D 0-0 – Exeter City A - Sky Bet League Two, 8/10/2016
- W 1-0 – Cambridge United A - Sky Bet League Two, 15/10/2016
- L 1-0 – Cheltenham Town H - Sky Bet League Two, 22/10/2016
- D 0-0 – Yeovil Town A - Sky Bet League Two, 29/10/2016
CARETAKER MANAGER: DAVE MOORE
Town’s current caretaker manager following the recent departure of Hurst, Moore’s day-to-day job at the club sees him act as head physiotherapist.
Born and bred in the town of Grimsby, he has held numerous roles with Town but as a player, came up through the ranks of the Mariners’ youth system to make his debut in the 1978/79 campaign under manager Johnny Newman.
Following in the footsteps of brothers Kevin and Andy, dad Roy and uncle Norman in playing for Town, he enjoyed five seasons with the club before leaving for Carlisle United in 1983.
Joining Blackpool following a short spell with the Cumbrians, he made over 100 appearances in two years with the Seasiders before returning to his hometown club in 1986 for two further seasons.
Eventually winding down his career with Boston United, he retired soon after and moved into coaching at Scunthorpe where he even enjoyed his first managerial role before switching back to Town once again where he has remained ever since.
KEY PLAYER: OMAR BOGLE
Town’s leading scorer in Sky Bet League Two this term with nine goals so far, Bogle has certainly taken to the Football League with ease. As a youngster meanwhile, the striker enjoyed spells with West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Celtic, but was unable to make his mark with any of the trio.
Returning to England in 2012, Bogle then linked up with Hinckley United and impressed for the club during the latter months of the 2011/12 campaign, enough to earn himself a move to Solihull Motors that summer.
A three-year stint with the Midlands based outfit followed and despite attracting interest from clubs such as Bournemouth – whom he enjoyed a trial with in the summer of 2013 – he remained with the non-league side until last summer.
Agreeing a three-year deal with today’s visitors meanwhile last June, the forward notched 16 times in all competitions throughout the Mariners’ 2015/16 Conference Premier campaign as they won promotion back to the Football League.
LAST GRIMSBY TOWN XI (v Yeovil Town, D 0-0)
McKeown, Mills, Collins, Gowling, Andrew, Disley, Summerfield, Berrett, Bolarinwa, Vernon, Bogle