Football Season Guide

Ian Holloway certainly showed his commitment to Grimsby Town after investing in shares following his appointment as manager in December 2019. He had just over two months to get to grips with the job at Blundell Park and there were predictably mixed results before the season was prematurely ended by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mariners are one of many clubs who will have to steer themselves carefully through the financial consequences with fans not set to return to the stands until October. Holloway acted quickly with several players allowed to leave the club over the summer. The only disappointment coming with striker Charles Vernam’s move to Burton Albion after rejecting the offer of a new deal. Holloway does have a strong spine with James McKeown one of the best goalkeepers in the division. Youngster Matt Pollock has excelled in the centre of defence and is already attracting admiring glances. James Hanson and Matt Green have oodles of attacking experience with only the midfield needing some reinforcements. Bilel Mohsni is something of a left-field signing whilst strikers Ira Jackson Jr and Montel Gibson arrive from non-league with plenty to prove. Grimsby Town have struggled since returning to the Football League in 2016 but they now have some much-needed stability. It is however difficult to see someone, even with Holloway’s experience, turning the Mariners into promotion contenders.