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Rodger Watch

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 02/10/2006

ONE month ago we reported on Graham Rodger's record in his first six games as Grimsby manager, when he had the worst record of any Town boss in history. Today after 13 games the situation has improved: Rodger now has got the 8th worst record of Town's 31 managers who have lasted 13 games or more.

Rodger is still almost level-pegging with his mentor Alan Buckley, who started off slowly when he became Town boss in 1988, before becoming Town's most successful manager since WW2. Rodger is currently ahead of Alan Buckley's first spell as Town boss only on goal difference.

Of course the table is not an altogether fair comparison as Rodger has the advantage of playing in the bottom division, whereas many of the managers began their careers 1,2 or even 3 divisions higher. Rodger also took over a successful team, whereas the bulk of the managers picked up the pieces after their predecessor was sacked due to poor form. However, Rodger will point to a steady climb up the table and we'll be charting his progress whilst he remains Grimsby's manager.

ManagerYearPWDLFAPtsGD
Lawrie McMenemy19711392231192912
George Kerr1979137332113248
Tom Casey197513562137216
Bill Shankly195113625161720-1
Don McEvoy1967135441717190
Brian Laws1994135442218194
Charlie Spencer1937136163025195
Frank Womack193213535232918-6
Tim Ward1960135352119182
Ron Ashman1973134631512183
Lennie Lawrence200013526111617-5
Bill Harvey196813526161817-2
Paul Groves2001134541311172
Haydn Price192013517172316-6
Mike Lyons198513517242516-1
Russell Slade2004135171514161
Alan Buckley II1997134451613163
Wilf Gillow192413436121515-3
Bobby Kennedy196913364111215-1
Kenny Swain199613355182414-6
George Fraser192113427162114-5
Bobby Roberts198713427141614-2
Billy Walsh195413337133012-17
Graham Rodger200613337122312-11
Alan Buckley I198813337101912-9
Jimmy McGuigan196413265172212-5
David Booth198213256142111-7
Allenby Chilton19551331982210-14
Johnny Newman197613211010227-12
Tom Johnston196213211019307-11
H N Hickson19021314815247-9

Two of Town's most popular post-war managers Lawrie McMenemy and George Kerr lead the table after 13 games, with Town's most famous gaffer Bill Shankly weighing in in 4th place.

Grimsby's first ever manager H N Hickson got off to a miserable start in 1902, but was to last another 18 years at the helm! In his first season Hickson's side got relegated from what is now the Premiership and then were relegated from the football league in 1910. Town regained their league status the next season, but Hickson failed to restore Grimsby to the top flight, although his chances were interrupted by World War One.

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