Up the Mariners! (Grimsby FC)

Name: Grimsbygal

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Product:	Grimsby FC
Date:	01/09/01 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: kit doesn't change that much - always black and white, a good team for their size, Liverpool 1 Grimsby 2!!

Disadvantages: cold stadium

From the greatest fish port in Europe, possibly the world hails a mighty football team. A team of skill, a team of endurance, a team of pure genius. I’m sure you will all now who I am talking about but in case you don’t know too much about the great sport itself I will tell. We are talking Grimsby Town.

I thought now was the time to write an opinion about my local team close to my heart. I used to be a regular at Blundell Park watching Grimsby Town as often as I can. Today if you look they are top of Division One after beating Barnsley at home 1-0. I wish I believed myself when I say they will finish at the top at the end of the season. It’s looking good though because the last time we were top was way back in 1982 when I was just one, not that I can remember.

Grimsby Town do not actually play their games in Grimsby. They actually play in Cleethorpes so theoretically they always play away. Okay so it is only a stone throw away from Grimsby itself but it’s still a good excuse when they don’t do too well. They play at Blundell Park, which is situated between McDonalds and the mouth of the River Humber. So from one side you get a whiff of a greasy Big Mac and from the other you get the cold North Sea blowing in your face. Apart from that the ground isn’t too bad. I have played there a fair few times for both school at the age of eleven and Grimsby Town Ladies at a later date.

Grimsby Town are managed by Lennie Lawrence. Before him Alan Buckley was the one in charge. I used to be a big fan of Buckley but at the minute I cannot criticise Lennie. Grimsby don’t have too may well known players in their squad but that doesn’t mean to say they are not handy with a football. I would go through all the squad but to be honest with you I don’t know too much about the players myself. I know more about the players that played in the late eighties and early nineties when trips to Blundell Park were
almost as regular as been dragged around Asda food shopping. My favourite ever player for Grimsby Town has to be Gary Croft. Okay I admit I used to fancy the pants off him and when I had my photo taken with his arm around me my heart melted but he honestly was a great defender. He was bought for a million pound by Blackburn and he is now playing well for Ipswich. I also thought Keith Alexander and Andy Tillson were great players and did well for themselves.

Their most memorable season for me was 1998. They reached Wembley twice that season in both the Auto Windscreen and the Division Two play off final. I went to both of these and had a great day out on each occasion. I will always remember spending the day trying not to touch my face to prevent disturbing the black and white face paint. I have photos of myself with a big yellow ‘It’s A Scream’ hand. I lost my voice singing my heart out and was well proud of Grimsby when we won.

I conclude by saying UP THE MARINERS! Fair enough they are not premiership material and probably never will be. They are however quite good for a club of their size, and I hope they achieve something one day.

* UPDATE *
After last nights famous win over cup holders Liverpool at Anfield I thought it was time to update. In the past Grimsby have always performed to their highest standards against premiership clubs and last night they continued to impress their supporters. Jevons and Broomes were the heroes each scoring a goal apiece, Jevons been in the last minute of extra time. They may have gone down hill in the league but last night will be one to remember for a long time in the fishy town of Grimsby.

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