Town Offer 12 Players New Deals

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 19/05/2015

PAUL Hurst has offered contracts to the nucleus of last year's side, the vast majority of whom were on deals that ran out this summer. With Grimsby ending the season so strongly it's unsurprising that Hurst wants to base next season's side on this one's.

The only players who have not been offered new deals are not regulars in the starting line up. Paddy McLaughlin, Ross Hannah and Paul Bignot have left Blundell Park along with Hamish Watson and reserve goalkeeper Nick Draper. First year pros Paul Walker, Ellis Humble and Caine Winfarrah have also been allowed to leave, none of whom were given a chance to show what they could do. The Fishy wishes all the players released the best of luck in the future,

All in all 12 players have been presented with new deals in a move which promises stability should most of the players accept new contracts. Shaun Pearson, Jack Mackreth, Lenell John-Lewis, Carl Magnay, Jon-Paul Pittman, Nathan Arnold, Scott Brown, Craig Clay, Gregor Robertson, Craig Disley, Josh Gowling and Toto Nsiala have all been given offers by Paul Hurst.

The only senior player still under contract is 'keeper James McKeown who signed a two year deal last season. First year pros Josh Sunter, Callum Bastock and Josh Venney join McKeown on Town's books in what is currently a four man squad.

Striker Ollie Palmer, who was on loan from Mansfield, has not been offered a contract. That doesn't necessarily mean he won't join the Mariners, he's still under contract with another club so Town may be keeping their cards close to their chest right now.

As professionals the twelve may receive offers from other clubs, a few possibly from clubs in higher divisions. However staying with Grimsby has the benefit of continuing at a club where they are liked by the fans and the manager, can be fairly sure of a place in the team, and with the prospect of another promotion campaign if they team repeats the last three years when they have finished in a play-off place. Plus all their mates from last year will still be there potentially!

Clearly Grimsby will need at least half a dozen new players even if all the players already under offer sign new deals. Paul Hurst though has a good track record at bringing in new faces, and Grimsby fans can be confident the Mariners will sign players who fit in as well as last season's crop.

Town boss Paul Hurst himself is on a rolling 12-month contract so his position is not in any doubt.

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