2009–10 Grimsby Town F.C. season

Grimsby Town Football Club entered the 2009–10 as a member of Football League Two for the 6th season on the trot. The club are still aiming to leave Blundell Park within the next few seasons. Manager Mike Newell brought in eight players in the close season, four of which were on loan at the club the previous season, he also released eight players, the club also offered four contracts to youth team members. Manager Mike Newell also gave new contracts to midfielders Jamie Clarke and Danny Boshell. Also in the close season Assistant Manager, Stuart Watkiss did not have his contract renewed and he joined Hull City as Development Coach, and Brian Stein who was chief scout took on the responsibilities of Stuart Watkiss.

Grimsby Town
2009–10 season
ChairmanJohn Fenty
ManagerMike Newell
(until 18 Oct. 2009)
Neil Woods
StadiumBlundell Park
Football League Two23rd place
FA CupFirst Round
League CupFirst Round
Football League TrophyRegional Quarter Finals
South West Challenge CupFinal (withdrew)
Lincolnshire Senior CupRunner Up
Top goalscorerLeague:
(5 goals)
All: Peter Sweeney (6 goals)
Highest home attendance7,033 0v0 Barnet
1 May 2010
Lowest home attendance2,103 0v0 Bath City
7 November 2009

Fixtures and results

Pre season matches

South West Challenge Cup
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
15 JulyRRFC Montegnee
Mill Road, BarnstapleW 1 – 0212Clarke
17 JulyYeovil Town
Vicarage Road, TorringtonW 3 – 2239Conlon, North, Arnold
18 JulyRushden & Diamonds
Marshford, AppledoreW 4 – 1–Forbes, Akpa Akpro, Arnold, North
19 JulyLuton Town
The Sports Ground, Bideford– C – C–--------

Lincolnshire Cup
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
20 JulyScunthorpe United
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 3859--------

Friendlies
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
21 JulyLeeds United
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 13,416Akpa Akpro
25 JulyStockport County
Edgeley Park, StockportL 0 – 11,144--------
28 JulyDoncaster Rovers
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 21,886--------
30 JulyGainsborough Trinity
The Northolme, Gainsborough– P – P–--------
1 AugWinterton Rangers
West Street, WintertonW 12 – 1–Akpa Akpro (4), Conlon (3), North (2), Jarman, Leary, Clarke
Pre Season Top Scorers
RankPlayerGoals
1 Akpa Akpro 6
2 Conlon 4
= North 4
3 Arnold 2
= Clarke 2
4 Forbes 1
= Jarman 1
= Leary 1
As of 1 August 2009

Mike Newell took Grimsby Town to the 2009 South West Challenge Cup in Devon, in which the rules allowed him to make ten changes in each match, which he did on each occasion. They started off strong in pre-season with a one-nil win against Belgian side R.R.F.C. Montegnée, with a late free kick from Jamie Clarke. They then played in a five-goal thriller against Yeovil Town in which Grimsby Town won 3–2, with Barry Conlon, Danny North, Nathan Arnold all scoring, going on to reach the semi-final and finishing top of their group. Then continuing their strong form they beat Rushden & Diamonds 4–1 with Adrian Forbes, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Nathan Arnold, Danny North all scoring, putting them into the final. After reaching the Final they had to withdraw on the grounds that they could not agree a kick-off time with their opponents Luton Town, in which there would be police at the ground, providing protection for the fans, as fans' safety concerns had been expressed earlier in the tournament. During the 2009 South West Challenge Cup Mike Newell named two trialists in his 23-man squad, who were Nathan Arnold from Mansfield Town in which he impressed by scoring two goals and he also named Swansea City striker Chris Jones in his squad, although he didn't score, he impressed enough to be offered a contract. Also joining for their last match, defender Sol Davis from Luton Town joined up for a trial.

On their return home they faced Scunthorpe United in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Semi-Final, in which they were beaten by a strong Scunthorpe United side 3–0, after Mike Newell fielded a weakened team. Their next opponents were Leeds United, in which they drew 1–1 in front of a big crowd after Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro had put them in the lead in the first half.

They faced Stockport County in their next pre-season match and were beaten one-nil, they were without skipper Ryan Bennett, Rob Atkinson and Danny North, in a well worked play eight minutes into the second half, Poole slotted the ball under Grimsby's Nick Colgan. Both Nick Hegarty and Nathan Jarman had good chances to score but were denied by Stockport County's defence. In the second half of the match Stockport County's Matty Mainwaring went off with two fractures to his leg after a tackle from Michael Leary, new striker Chris Jones, came on for Nick Hegarty.

In their last pre-season friendly Grimsby played Northern Counties East Premier League side Winterton Rangers, the Mariners were the dominant force throughout the game with Barry Conlon grabbing a first half hat-trick in under twenty-five minutes after his first goal after eight minutes and completed his hat-trick twenty five minutes later, with a Nathan Jarman goal after his second. Winterton Rangers scored through Gary Jones after he spotted Leigh Overton off his line and chipping it into the back of the net. Nathan Jarman coming off in the first half with a suspected broken toe, which was later confirmed along with a broken metatarsal. In the second half the manager changing his squad totally with the exception of the keeper and Chris Jones, who came on for the injured Nathan Jarman, in the second half Akpa Akpro scoring four after he walked through the defence, Danny North scored a brace after chipping the keeper twice and nearly grabbing his hat-trick only for his effort to be tipped onto the bar but he later set up Michael Leary for a tap in. Clarke scored his second free kick. Grimsby had left sided Watford player Louis Lavers on trial who started in the first half in left back but moved to the left side of midfield in the second half, on the 75th minute Grimsby brought on 14-year-old Jack Barlow from the youth-team.

Football League Two
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
8 AugCheltenham Town
Abbey Business Stadium, CheltenhamL 1 – 23,654Conlon
15 AugCrewe Alexandra
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 45,007--------
18 AugRotherham United
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 1 – 24,156Sweeney
22 AugBury
Gigg Lane, BuryW 1 – 02,799Conlon
29 AugAldershot Town
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 1 – 23,757Conlon
5 SepPort Vale
Vale Park, Burslem, Stoke-on-TrentL 0 – 45,056--------
12 SepHereford United
Blundell Park, CleethorpesW 1 – 03,173North
19 SepTorquay United
Plainmoor, TorquayW 2 – 02.575Nicholson (OG), Sweeney
26 SepDarlington
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 14,014Atkinson
30 SepChesterfield
Saltergate, ChesterfieldL 2 – 33,329Proudlock, Sweeney
3 OctBarnet
Underhill, Barnet, LondonL 0 – 32,497--------
10 OctBurton Albion
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 1 – 24,002Jones
17 OctRochdale
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 23,754--------
24 OctA.F.C. Bournemouth
Dean Court, BournemouthL 1 – 35,270Linwood
30 OctAccrington Stanley
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 2 – 24,325Forbes, Conlon
14 NovNorthampton Town
Sixfields Stadium, NorthamptonD 0 – 04,028--------
21 NovLincoln City
Sincil Bank, LincolnD 0 – 04,981--------
24 NovBradford City
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 33,646-------
28 NovMacclesfield Town
Moss Rose, MacclesfieldD 0 – 01,409--------
5 DecDagenham & Redbridge
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 13,090Coulson
12 DecShrewsbury Town
New Meadow, ShrewsburyD 0 – 04,850--------
18 DecMorecambe
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 13,119Sweeney
28 DecPort Vale
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 1 – 24,401Conlon
2 JanBury
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 13,463Akpa Akpro
16 JanCheltenham Town
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 0 – 03,334--------
23 JanRotherham United
Don Valley Stadium, SheffieldL 1 – 23,751Fletcher
30 JanAldershot Town
Recreation Ground, AldershotD 1 – 13,195Grant (OG)
6 FebNotts County
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 14,452--------
13 FebBradford City
Valley Parade, BradfordD 0 – 011,321--------
17 FebNotts County
Meadow Lane, NottinghamD 1 – 15,163Devitt
20 FebLincoln City
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 2 – 26,395Peacock (2)
23 FebMacclesfield Town
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 1 – 14,813Devitt
27 FebDagenham & Redbridge
Victoria Road, Dagenham, LondonL 0 – 22,190--------
6 MarShrewsbury Town
Blundell Park, CleethorpesW 3 – 03,651Sinclair (2), Akpa Akpro
9 MarCrewe Alexandra
Gresty Road, CreweL 2 – 43,272Akpa Akpro, Sinclair
13 MarMorecambe
Christie Park, MorecambeD 1 – 11,882Coulson
20 MarAFC Bournemouth
Blundell Park, CleethorpesW 3 – 24,428Devitt, Coulson, Chambers
27 MarRochdale
Spotland, RochdaleL 1 – 44,724Chambers
2 AprNorthampton Town
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 1 – 26,482Coulson
5 AprAccrington Stanley
Crown Ground, AccringtonW 3 – 21,839Hudson, Coulson, Devitt
10 AprHereford United
Edgar Street, HerefordW 1 – 02,143Devitt
13 AprChesterfield
Blundell Park, CleethorpesD 2 – 25,648T.Wright, Akpa Akpro
17 AprTorquay United
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 35,702--------
24 AprDarlington
Darlington Arena, DarlingtonW 2 – 01,911Lancashire, Akpa Akpro
1 MayBarnet
Blundell Park, CleethorpesW 2 – 07,033Atkinson, Hudson
8 MayBurton Albion
Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon TrentL 0 – 34,987--------

FA Cup
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
7 NovBath City
Blundell Park, CleethorpesL 0 – 22,103--------

League Cup
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
11 AugTranmere Rovers
Prenton Park, TranmereL 0 – 43,527--------

Football League Trophy

Grimsby received a bye into the second round of the competition, in the Northern Section. Due to the new way of determining which teams received byes into the second round of the competition, the teams who received a bye last season, will not receive a bye two seasons in succession, the byes are now determined by recommendation at club meetings.

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
6 OctHartlepool United
Victoria Park, HartlepoolW 2 – 01,675Sweeney, Proudlock
10 NovLeeds United
Elland Road, LeedsL 1 – 310,430Sweeney

League table

Notts County's season mostly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, as they were involved in an abortive high-spending takeover by a consortium who bought in Sven-Göran Eriksson as Director of Football, and got through four managers during the course of the season. However, they managed to shake off their off-field problems and won the title. Bournemouth continued their revival under Eddie Howe and won promotion in the runners-up spot. The last automatic promotion spot was won by Rochdale, who were promoted for the first time since 1969

Dagenham and Redbridge won the play-offs, reaching the 2nd tier of the Football League for the first time in their 18-year history.

Darlington were unable to recover from losing many of their players during their spell in administration at the end of the previous season, and were relegated in bottom place, becoming only the third club (after Halifax Town and Chester City) to be relegated to the Football Conference on two separate occasions. Grimsby suffered the relegation that they only avoided the previous year due to Luton Town's points deduction; their form improved significantly in the final weeks of the season, but they were ultimately undone by a run of nearly five months without a win earlier in the season, and were relegated to the Football Conference after losing on the final day of the season.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
20 Lincoln City 46 13 11 22 42 65 −23 50
21 Barnet 46 12 12 22 47 63 −16 48
22 Cheltenham Town 46 10 18 18 54 71 −17 48
23 Grimsby Town (R) 46 9 17 20 45 71 −26 44 Relegation to Conference National
24 Darlington (R) 46 8 6 32 33 87 −54 30
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: football-league.co.uk
(R) Relegated.

Coaching staff
Role Nationality Name
First-Team Manager Mike Newell (sacked 18 October 2009)
First-Team Manager Neil Woods (hired 23 November 2009)
First-Team Assistant Manager Brian Stein (left 30 November 2009)
First-Team Assistant Manager Chris Casper (hired 1 December 2009)
Reserve-Team Manager Brian Stein (left 30 November 2009)
Reserve-Team Manager Chris Casper (hired 1 December 2009)
Youth Team Manager Neil Woods (promoted to first team manager 23 November 2009)
Chief Scout Brian Stein (left 30 November 2009)
Goalkeeping Coach Steve Croudson
Physiotherapist Dave Moore
Community Sport Coach Gary Childs
Community Sport Coach Graham Rodger

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalLeague TwoLeague CupFootball League TrophyFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Nick Colgan 380340102010
2 DF Robbie Stockdale 9080100000
3 DF Joe Widdowson 390370101000
4 DF Ryan Bennett 160130101010
4 MF Dean Sinclair 153153000000
5 DF Matthew Heywood 1010000000
6 MF Peter Sweeney 406374102200
7 MF Adrian Forbes 151131002000
8 FW Nathan Jarman 8070001000
9 FW Adam Proudlock 292271101100
10 MF Barry Conlon 195165101010
11 MF Danny Boshell 9060101010
12 DF Jamie Clarke 160130002010
12 DF Jude Stirling 4040000000
13 MF Nick Hegarty 10090100000
14 MF Peter Bore 420400001010
15 DF Matthew Bird 0000000000
16 DF Paul Linwood 291281000010
17 MF Grant Normington 0000000000
18 FW Chris Jones 8171000010
19 MF Michael Leary 320280102010
20 GK Josh Lillis 4040000000
20 MF Jammal Shahin 7050001010
21 GK Tommy Forecast 4040000000
21 MF Arnaud Mendy 1010000000
21 FW Michael Coulson 285285000000
22 DF Mark Gray 0000000000
23 DF Olly Lancashire 251241001000
23 FW Wes Fletcher 6161000000
24 FW Josh Magennis 2020000000
24 DF Damien McCrory 10090001000
24 MF Jamie Devitt 145145000000
25 DF Rob Atkinson 392352102010
26 FW Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro 395355102010
27 FW Danny North 201171101010
28 MF Josh Fuller 7050001010
29 DF Bradley Wood 11080002010
30 FW Nathan Dixon 0000000000
30 MF Harry Deane 0000000000
31 MF Nicky Featherstone 8080000000
32 MF Mark Hudson 152152000000
33 FW Ben Wright 2020000000
33 FW Ashley Chambers 3232000000
34 FW Paris Cowan-Hall 3030000000
35 GK Leigh Overton 0000000000
36 FW Tommy Wright 141141000000
37 MF Lee Peacock 162162000000
38 GK Mark Oxley 3030000000
# GK Ed Eley 0000000000
# MF Drew Rhoades 0000000000
# MF Jamie Steel 0000000000

Loaned out player stats
No. Pos Nat Player TotalLeagueLeague CupFootball League TrophyFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
4 DF Ryan Bennett (on loan at Peterborough United) 100100000000
10 FW Barry Conlon (on loan at Chesterfield) 4141000000
15 DF Matthew Bird (on loan at Frickley Athletic) 9090000000
17 MF Grant Normington (on loan at Frickley Athletic) 9090000000
18 FW Chris Jones (on loan at Neath) 2424000000
-- GK Ed Eley (on loan at Ilkeston Towm) 1010000000
-- GK Ed Eley (on loan at Mansfield Town) 0000000000

Most frequent starting line-up

Most frequent starting line-up uses the team's most used formation: 4–4–2. The players used are those who have played the most games in each respective position, not necessarily who have played most games out of all the players.

Scorers

Transfers

In

Pre-Season
# Position Player Previous club Age Fee
01GK Nick Colgan Sunderland35Free Transfer
03DF Joe Widdowson West Ham United19Free Transfer
06MF Peter Sweeney Leeds United24Free Transfer
07MF Adrian Forbes Millwall30Free Transfer
10FW Barry Conlon Bradford City30Signed as Free Agent
18FW Chris JonesSwansea City19Signed as Free Agent
16DF Paul Linwood Chester City25Free Transfer
19MF Michael Leary Barnet26Signed as Free Agent
GK Ed Eley Grimsby Town Youth Academy18Pro Contract
MF Drew RhoadesGrimsby Town Youth Academy18Pro Contract
MF Jamie SteelGrimsby Town Youth Academy18Pro Contract

Mid Season
# Position Player From Age Fee
04MF Dean Sinclair Charlton Athletic25Loan
12DF Jude Stirling MK Dons27Loan
20GK Josh Lillis Scunthorpe United22Loan
20MF Jammal Shahin Armthorpe Welfare20Signed
21GK Tommy Forecast Southampton22Loan
21MF Arnaud Mendy Derby County19Loan
21FW Michael Coulson Barnsley21Loan
22DF Mark Gray Grimsby Town Youth Academy17Pro Contract
23DF Olly Lancashire Southampton20Loan
23DF Olly Lancashire Southampton20Loan
23FW Wes Fletcher Burnley18Loan
24FW Josh Magennis Cardiff City19Loan
24DF Damien McCrory Plymouth Argyle19Loan
24MF Jamie Devitt Hull City19Loan
30FW Nathan Dixon Grimsby Town Youth Academy17Pro Contract
30MF Harry Deane Grimsby Town Youth Academy17Pro Contract
31MF Nicky Featherstone Hull City21Loan
31MF Nicky Featherstone Hull City21Loan
32MF Mark Hudson Gainsborough Trinity29Free Transfer
33FW Ben Wright Peterborough United21Loan
33FW Ashley Chambers Leicester City19Loan
34FW Paris Cowan-Hall Portsmouth19Loan
34FW Paris Cowan-Hall Portsmouth19Loan
36FW Tommy Wright Aberdeen25Free Transfer
37MF Lee Peacock Swindon Town33Free Transfer
38GK Mark Oxley Hull City19Loan

Out

Pre-Season
# Position Player New Club Age Fee
03DF Tom NeweyBury26Released
07MF Peter TillWalsall23Released
08MF Paul BollandMacclesfield Town29Free Transfer
10MF Chris LlewellynNeath Athletic28Free Transfer
14MF James HuntGainsborough Trinity32Released
20FW Andy TaylorBrigg Town20Released
27MF Mickael Buscher–22Released
34GK Jonathan LundBurnley22Released

Mid Season
# Position Player From Age Fee
04DF Ryan Bennett Peterborough United19Loan
04DF Ryan Bennett Peterborough United19£500,000
05DF Matthew Heywood–30Released
10FW Barry Conlon Chesterfield31Loan
10FW Barry Conlon Chesterfield31Free Transfer
11MF Danny Boshell Chesterfield28Free Transfer
12DF Jamie Clarke York City27Free Transfer
15DF Matthew Bird Frickley Athletic19Loan
17MF Grant Normington Frickley Athletic19Loan
17MF Grant NormingtonFrickley Athletic19Released
18FW Chris Jones Neath Athletic20Loan
27FW Danny North Alfreton Town22Released
–GK Ed Eley Ilkeston Town18Loan
–GK Ed Eley Mansfield Town18Loan
–GK Ed Eley Mansfield Town18Loan
–GK Ed Eley Eastwood Town18Free Transfer
–MF Jamie Steel Grimsby Borough18Released

Trialists

Manager Mike Newell took two of the trialists Nathan Arnold, Chris Jones in his 23-man squad to the 2009 South West Challenge Cup and defender Sol Davis joined up with the squad mini way through the 2009 South West Challenge Cup and was given 45 minutes to impress. Before the 2009 South West Challenge Cup Mike Newell had a number of strikers on trial, but none of them were offered a contract. Although not scoring Chris Jones impressed enough to be offered a contract by the club and which was later accepted.

Pre-Season
# Nat. Pos. Name From Age Apps Goals Result
#MFNathan ArnoldMansfield Town2242Contract Offered but Declined
#FWGraham BarrettSt Johnstone2700No Contract Offered
#DFSol DavisLuton Town2910No Contract Offered
#FWChris JonesSwansea City1930Contract Offered & Accepted
#DFLouis LaversWatford1820No Contract Offered
#FWAndy SmithPortadown2800No Contract Offered
#GKKevin StrukeljSydney United2400No Contract Offered

Mid-Season
# Nat. Pos. Name From Age Apps Goals Result
#MFChris ArthurQueens Park Rangers1911No contract offered
#FWSteve Lozano-CalderonCharlton Athletic–11No contract offered
#DFChris RamseyManchester City–20No contract offered
#DFDarren WilliamsDundee3210No contract offered
#MFRyan CrowtherLiverpool2110No contract offered
#MFBen OsmanExeter City1910No contract offered
#MFMark HudsonGainsborough Trinity2910Contract Offered & Accepted
#FWSean EvansStourbridgeN/A10No contract offered
#MFJames CronesberryMiddlesbrough1910No contract offered
#MFTam McManusDerry City2820No contract offered
#FWRoss CampbellOstersunds FK2200No contract offered
#MFMark DoningerBlyth Spartans1910No contract offered
#DFCurtley WilliamsIpswich Town1910No contract offered
#MFRyan SmithCrystal Palace2310No contract offered
#DFTimothy CathalinaFC Emmen2510No contract offered
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References
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