A Season To Forget-The Worst Season in 20 Years...But Why?

Last updated : 29 April 2005 By Gtm
Dean Gordon in Action vs. Rochdale!
Grimsby Town fans will be relieved that the season is nearly over, the club has endured it's worst season in over 20 years. Personally it seems five minutes since we were playing the likes of Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Manchester City and Sheffield United, and now it seems so odd and out of fashion with Yeovil Town, Chester City, Lincoln City and Boston United with no offence intended.

The decline of the club has been a sad one, and with 4 players contracted in July, the fans still expected at least a play-off place this season. With the club culling players like Isaiah Rankin, Paul Warhurst, Jamie Lawrence, Alan Fettis and Mickael Antoine-Curier, and even manager Nicky Law was given the boot after a few months in charge, it was going to be a hard job for anyone coming in.

Appointed was Scarborough chief Russell Slade. The former Notts County underachiever, a relative unknown to the league and the club, was able to snap players like Andy Parkinson, Michael Reddy and Dean Gordon up for next to nothing.

With the fans drooling over what looked to be a dominant force, we would all come to see Mr Slade's poor tactical and managerial position away from the chequebook and football agent meetings.


THE PLAYERS REVIEWS

1:Anthony Williams-2/10-Cannot kick, cannot catch, spills everything, looks way to poor to even be in this league, the worst town keeper I have ever seen, made Jason Pearcey look like Peter Shilton.

2:John McDermott-8/10-Not his ebst season, but with Macca been used on the wing in some situations has enabled him to score a few this season. Still looks in great condition to say he is 36, definetly should be here next season.

3:Greg Young-5/10-Departed to Halifax Town towards the end of the year. Was so promissing last season under Groves/Law but was never given a chance under Slade, was sent to Northwich on loan before being told he was not needed, a huge waste of a promissing talent.

4:Simon Ramsden-9/10-I have not seen Rambo have a bad game this season, he has been one of the only lights in a dark season, was an unknown rotting in the Sunderland reserves and is my player of the season.

5:Tony Crane-5/10-Cannot really rate as one of the stronger defenders of last term has had 1 sub apperance since returning from injury. Crane is a fans favourate but Slade has refused to play him, another own goal in the fans eye's by the gaffer.

6:Justin Whittle-6/10-Has been criticised as just a hoofer, and a last resort clearer, however Whittle can do a job in the defence, he has been inconsistent but has always managed to get us out of sticky situations.

7:Ashley Sestanovich-5/10 Had talent, eye for goal, bright future....and then stormed of after he was told he was on the bench against Swansea at home, he returned but was booted out because of his attitude, then was arrested for speeding, failed to turn up for court and was released by Chester City because of this.

8:Jason Crowe-8/10 Another decent season for Crowey. Has been a stronger player for the club, is too good for us and is a bright reminder of what could have been if we had avoided relegation from Division One in 2003.

9:Michael Reddy-7/10-Had a bright start but injury checked his progress, looked lazy and not bothered on his return but when he was dropped to cater for Colin Cramb, he got his arse into gear and has been very impressive ever since.

10:Andy Parkinson-7/10- Has shown bits of class and has looked fantastic in some games but weak, poor and un-sterdy in some aswell. Scored some fantastic goals and ran round the whole of the Yeovil midfield/defence before scoring the winner in the 88th minute.

11:Stacy Coldicott-6/10-Worst season so far for Grimsby. Stace has been a regular since 1998/1999 season but this year has formed a terrible, weak and embarrasing partnership with Terry Fleming in midfield. His passes have been short and he has looked lost all season.

12:Graham Hockless-6/10-Golden boy from last season, had a major battle trying to hold on to him with intrest from Sheff Weds and Hull, why bother though Hockless has rarely featured and was loaned to Conference club Leight RMI for 1 month, a complete waste of talent again by Slade.

13:Paul Fraser-5/10-Promissing goalkeeper who was released and signed for Ossett Town, never made an apperance.

14:David Soames-7/10 Has overcome another injury problem and has featured a few times by coming of the bench, would be a complete striker if he could finnish.

15:Terry Fleming-3/10- Another waste of space, all he does is pass short and drag back, he has looked a liability in all but 4 games this season, a complete blunder of a signing along with Williams they should be first out the door this summer.

16:Ronnie Bull-4/10-Started so good and bright,and has now messed it up, just does not fit in where ever he plays, he will be very useful to some team somewhere but just cannot fit in at Grimsby.

17:Thomas Pinault-7/10-Has looked awesome in parts of the season, a crowd pleaser , a ladies man and a player who can turn a game round. On his day he could easily operate in the Premiership/Championship but after an unfair slating on the radio by Slade, and some dismal team efforts, Pinault has looked fed up, upset and not intrested.

18:Rob Jones-8/10-Really only a back-up player but has never let us down yet, is very tall and just nuts the ball out of danger, not affraid to go in for 50/50 challengers, would make a fantastic pairing a centre back with Crane, if ever given the chance.

19:Darren Mansaram-4/10-Deteriorated even more so and after so many fruitless games was given the axe and moved to Halifax Town.

19:Matt Harrold-8/10-Even for a Brentford reserve he looked way ahead of us, Harrold was awesome in all of his 6 games and looked leagues above the rest in the quality of his game.

20:Kirk Wheeler-5/10-Was wanted by Slade last season for Scarborough, and as soon as he is in charge of him here he was loaned out to Barrow and Ossett Town, before being released a few months later, another big waste of talent.

21:Ash Hildred-5/10-Another youth product talent who was wasted and given to Hereford United, following a loan at Northwich.

21:Paul Ashton-5/10-Youngster signed from Leicester, told to be promissing.

22:Gio Carchedi-5/10-The next big thing, the next Clive Mendonca, cheers Sladey, Gio was released and joined Ossett Town.

23:Clint Marcelle-3/10-Why did we sign him, what is the point, he is 37, been playing non league football for a year, played preseason and appeared as a sub a few times, started in the LDV game with Carlisle and then went to Tamworth.

24:Dean Gordon-9/10-Could not put a foot wrong, was awesome and showed Premiership class and experience while with Grimsby. Slade upset the lad and the best player of the season excluding Ramsden joined Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus.

25:Glen Downey-5/10-WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!Unused sub 25 times never played.

26:Chris Williams-5/10-Pointless loan signing from Stockport.

26:Jonathan Daly-6/10-Pointless loan signing from Stockport, oh and also wrecked the local derby with Scunthorpe at Glanford Park after he was sent off.

26:Martin Gritton-8/10-Not as good as expected but still shows experience and skill, was a bargain from Torquay after being there top scorer, however 4 goals it is for Gritts.

27:Paul Robinson-Pointless loan signing from Tranmere.

27:Danny North-Youngster who has had 3 minutes on the field, unproven.

28:Terrell Forbes-8/10-Decent bargain after he was kicked out of QPR for out of work troubles, Forbesy has added class to the club and has shown some of the others a bit of his higher division experience.

29:Colin Cramb-7/10-Back at Hamilton Academical now, however was a bargain, came in and you could thank him for Reddy's recent form, if Reddy was not dropped from Cramb then we would have another to join Williams and Fleming out the door, oh and did I say I owe Cramb's match shirt.

30:Nick Heggarty-5/10-Promissed a game, not recieved one as of yet.

THE VERDICT!!!!!!!!!!!

THE PLAYERS WHO SHOULD STAY ON FOR NEXT SEASON(If they want too)

John McDermott---May be offered short term deal or coaching role.
Simon Ramsden---Has already signed 1 year extension.
Justin Whittle----One more year at this level to help the youngsters.
Tony Crane-----Unlikely to stay but deserves a chance and a break.
Jason Crowe----Is currently overlooking a contract offered by Town.
Michael Reddy----Injury free should flourish next term.
Andy Parkinson----Maybe will be huge hit next season.
David Soames-----Make or break season for Digger if he stays.
Thomas Pinault-----Will probably leave but would be nice if he stayed.
Rob Jones-------Deserves a regular place.
Paul Ashton-----Promissing youngster in clubs plans.
Martin Gritton-----May improve next term would be good for the club.
Danny North-----Promissing striker, needs more look at.
Terrell Forbes----Commanding figure integral to clubs plans.
Nick Heggarty-----Another promissing player, needs run out.

THE PLAYERS WHOS SHOULD LEAVE TO SAVE THERE CAREER'S

Anthony Williams----Should drop to Conference or sub keeper somewhere.
Graham Hockless----No chance here anymore, move to bigger club.
Terry Fleming-----Conference is the league, Halifax is the club.
Ronnie Bull-----Some one near the bottom of League Two.
Glen Downey-----Any club willing to PLAY!! him