HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
We didn't win promotion, which is what we were all hoping for, so from that respect it was a disappointment (especially given the way it all ended with that defeat on penalties in the play-off final). After a slow start we did our usual thing of grinding out results that put us in and around the play-offs, but then there was an incident between a fan and a steward at Forest Green, and it sort of galvanised the fans. They transferred that siege mentality from the stands and into the players, and we finished the season in great form.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
I think we’re most impressed with the players we've been able to retain from last season. That’s what got the ball rolling. Several could have gone on to play for teams in higher divisions, or got a bigger contract at those splashing the cash in this division, but they opted to stay. The squad camaraderie is as strong as any of us have known it here at the moment. We lost our top scorer, Lenell John-Lewis, to Newport, but the new recruits look ideal. Omar Bogle was the big one (signed from Solihull for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £40,000) but Padraig Almond has really impressed in pre-season. The rest look very dependable and there’s a real sense among the fans that this squad is stronger than last season’s.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
Right now everything feels like it’s covered – which is pretty weird for us, as we've headed into most seasons still looking for one or two additions. Each position has competition, but our squad isn't massive. Having two youth teamers come through to challenge for the midfield spots has been a nice bonus. We’re perhaps light up front, but that’s only because one striker has been injured for most of pre-season and another has just picked up an injury. We've also got a couple of versatile players in the squad who are adept in two or three positions, and that will be valuable as the season progresses.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Lincoln home and away are the big ones. They used to be scheduled for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but that changed last season – which is a shame, as it created great atmospheres. Personally I'm looking forward to Guiseley away as they’re local to me. New grounds are always intriguing, so places like Boreham Wood and Bromley will be new experiences for us. We’ll no doubt take a big following to Forest Green – and a fair few inflatables too. Tranmere away on the last day promises to be a biggie – it’s the place where we got relegated from League One in 2004, and the Rovers fans taunted us in our misery. Our fans haven’t forgotten about that, and they’ll certainly be up for taking a huge following there – even if there’s nothing to play for.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
This is our sixth season in this division and the general consensus is that this is the weakest it’s been. Tranmere and ourselves are favourites, and I can see us both being in the top five come the end of the season. Beyond that I think Wrexham will enjoy a good season, while Forest Green and Eastleigh will no doubt be in and amongst it given their investments. And Chester could be an outside bet, along with Woking and Halifax.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
It always sounds arrogant to say it, but I think in this case it’s absolutely true. In James McKeown we have the best goalkeeper in the division, and in Shaun Pearson the best central defender. They have been stalwarts for us over the last few years, great players and very dependable. Padraig Amond up front has scored nine goals in pre-season and looked lethal in the box. We’re excited about Omar Bogle but we haven’t quite seen enough of him yet. Our captain Craig Disley is the midfielder who arrives in the box at just the right time and scores vital goals, while Jack Mackreth on the right is a tricky customer for any full back.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
I really do hope that we finish top, but a Grimsby Town team hasn't done that – in any division – in decades (certainly not in my lifetime, and I'm 32). And we've experienced a lot of pain in the last 13 or 14 years in particular, so we’re a set of realistic fans. No one is demanding promotion – even after the fans raised over £110,000 for the manager to spend on this season’s squad. As long as these players give their all, the fans will back them all the way. There’s certainly a belief that this is our best chance of automatic promotion since we've been down here, and it’s possible… and after three consecutive failures in the play-offs I think we’re all hoping, and maybe believing, that we really could finish top. This time.
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