Hot Prospect or Just Average?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 05/07/2003

THERE has been great deal of interest shown in Matt O'Halloran who is currently training with the Mariners. Matt has been released by Derby after being out on loan with Burton Albion FC. We thought we would have a look at him to see if he fits in with what Paul Groves is trying to achieve.

Because he was part of the Derby Academey, he has had little experience in first team football but he was a regular in the Derby reserve squad which won the championship.

This what he had to say about being at Grimsby and training with the squad;

"At Grimsby Town, Paul Groves, is giving me just the sort of chance I want, at least for pre-season. At least I can go there and try and impress with the club. If nothing happens after me playing well, and I know I have done my best, then fine but I am really looking forward to that and getting back into football."

"If the truth be told I am actually quite pleased to go to Grimsby. I was with Derby County, a First Division club, but I never played any first team games. If I do go to Grimsby Town and impress during the pre-season and was fortunate enough to be offered a contract it is doubtful that Grimsby would sign me to play in their reserves so if I did eventually go there I think there's a good chance it would be for first team football, which is something I would be extremely happy with."

"Grimsby is not too far down the road from my home town of Lincoln but obviously the most important factor, if this did come off, would be the chance for first team football, week in, week out, hopefully. That would be the plan anyway and I would be very happy for that first team football to be in the Second Division, so the level that Grimsby will be playing in isn't a disappointment at all and I am really grateful for the chance Paul Groves is giving me."