Grimsby Town Wembley Play-Off Final Special

WEMBLEY PLAY-OFF FINAL SPECIAL EDITION www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/wembley

INSIDE: Fenty vows the Mariners will bounce back – as fans remain upbeat about the squad’s future; we look back on the pre-match excitement on Wembley Way and catch up with those cheering on the team from the pub; there is also a comprehensive match report, stats, and emotional reaction from some of the Mariners’ players

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IT’S ALL OVER

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Grimsby Town at Wembley As heartbroken Grimsby Town fans began the long journey home after The Mariners lost their battle for promotion to the Football League, many – including club director John Fenty – said they felt the final score did not reflect the side’s performance.

Jack Longstaff and Matt Scrafton caught up with them as they left the stadium.

AWAY DAY: Grimsby Town fans during the 2015 Vanarama Conference Promotion Final match between Grimsby Town and Bristol Rovers at Wembley Stadium: Picture by David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography.

Penalty heartbreak ends Town’s third bid for league status

GRIMSBY Town’s non-league night- looking the stronger team for 120 ager and dust ourselves down ready for another campaign. mare continued after they suffered minutes. penalty heartbreak in their third “I really hoped it would be our day today “We’ve got to be favourites for autobut sadly not. matic promotion next year, but as we play-off defeat in as many years.

The Mariners fell at the final hurdle yesterday in front of a record-breaking 47,000 crowd at Wembley, as match day favourites Bristol Rovers pipped them to the post and lifted the Conference play-off final trophy 5-3 on penalties, after Town striker Jon-Paul Pittman blazed over from 12 yards.

However, self-proclaimed “ever faithful” club director John Fenty was full of praise for both his team and their fans.

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph immediately after the match, he said: “The fans were immense today, as they have been all season.

“I’m so very sorry we’ve not made football League.

“I think everyone will join me in thanking the players manager and back room staff for making us very proud to once again grace our national stadium.

“Going out on penalties is so painful, particularly after playing so well and

“Another season of porridge, but I believe we can be stronger for the experience and go one better next season.

“I am ever grateful of the backing of the fans, sponsors and all, thank you so much.

“We will dust ourselves down, pick ourselves up as true Mariners and prepare in the best way we can, to go again.”

“Gutted” assistant youth team coach Mick Gray said he believed the best team has lost.

The 52-year-old club coach said Town now needed to dust themselves off and go into the next season with a positive mindset.

He said: “I’m absolutely gutted. Penalties is a lottery and we gifted Bristol rovers the advantage by missing a penalty – they scored all of theirs.

“We’ve got to go again next season now, try to improve the squad, back the man-

know it’s not as easy league to get out of.”

Callum Bastock, 18, the Grimsby Town youth team goalkeeper, said Grimsby deserve to be in the football league.

He said: ““I feel rubbish after that, it’s taken everything out of me.

“I’m devastated not to be back in the football league, we controlled the game but we just couldn’t finish it off when we had the chance to – it’s anyone’s game when it goes to penalties.

“The players will be devastated. They put everything into it, you can’t fault them at all.

“The staff need to rally the players and get ready for another crack at it next year.

“It’s just one of those things, it’s always anyone’s game in the final – we just couldn’t finish the job when it came down to it.”

DUBIOUS DECISION: Wybers Wood resident Andy House, at the Grimsby Town game.

Goalkeeper ‘should have been sent off’ ANDY House, of Wybers Wood, blamed a dubious decision for the result.

He said: “It all changed after the referee only booked their goalkeeper when he should have been sent off.

“We started really well and were on top at that point. I can’t blame the

players, they’ve given it their all, it just wasn’t enough. It’s just one of those things. I think there will be another complete reshuffle now and we’ll be back to square one again.

“But we will come back and I’ll be there even if it’s in the Sunday League.”

‘Such a shame’

The cruellest of outcomes LIFE-LONG Town fan 22-year-old Paul Spicker said losing on penalties was the “cruellest possible outcome”.

He said: “I’m pretty gutted – we were clearly the better side.

“It’s so cruel when a whole season comes down to a penalty shoot out.

“At the time of our goal Bristol Rovers were the better side, but that’s football for you.

“Grimsby were the better team over 120 minutes but a silly mistake led to Rovers getting a goal back,

then it was a case of no one wanting to lose it in the second half.

“We need more of the same next season – we’ll be up there again for sure.

“Paul will rally the troops and we’ll be ready to go again next year.

“As for the players, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them playing at Wembley, so they’ll appreciate the fans making the trip but will be distraught.”

ROGER and Silvia Richardson – who travelled from Kent for the match – said the teams were well matched.

Roger said: “It was such a shame it ended like that.

“I live down south now so I don’t get to many games, but I always make sure I’m here for these big finals.

“I think they lost the game in the midfield, that’s where Bristol got on top. But I wouldn’t say they

were a lot better than us to be honest.

“It’s never nice to lose it in this fashion. Where do we go now? We have got to win the league, we can’t go through the play offs again. I can’t stand them.”

Silvia added: “I thought the support from the fans was fantastic, they were just wonderful. We have been outnumbered but that didn’t stop us from being louder.”

GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH Monday, May 18, 2015

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For more news, pictures and videos from the big weekend, visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/wembley ‘WAITED SO LONG’: Bristol-born Grimsby fan Aaron Seviour.

‘We were in total control and they were second best, but that’s football’ AARON Seviour, 23, may be Bristol born, but he’s a lifelong Grimsby fan, as his family originates from North East Lincolnshire.

He said the Mariners need to learn how to jump over that final hurdle, adding: “We’ve been down here too long, the general mood before the match was that this year was our year.

“We were in total control and they were second best, but that’s football for you.

“Overcoming the final hurdle seems to be a problem for us as a team. It’s just one of those things really.

“A team that can hold their nerve on penalties they make the 120mins that go before it irrelevant. We’ve waited so long to be back in the football league.

“Next year we’ll pick ourselves up and go again.

“Hopefully we’ll keep the same squad and give it one go, we need to aim to win it so that we don’t go through all of the heartbreak again.”

Sam Rhoades, 28, pictured right, of Manchester

said it was “a horrendous way to lose.”

He said: “It was so unfair on the players, who I thought were superb. I thought we were the better team as well.

“The decision to not send off their keeper after what looked like a clear handball outside of the box didn’t go our way.

“You couldn’t tell for sure from where I was sitting, but it certainly looked like he denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

“They were immense though and did themselves proud.

“There’s no shame in losing on penalties which we all know are a massive lottery.

“If we tighten up at home next season then we have got a good chance of winning the title.

“Paul Hurst has got to grips with the league and his signings have been much better this season.

“Keep the nucleus of the squad together and I think we have a potential title-winning squad on our hands. I think the league structure needs looking at and there should be three teams up and three teams down.”

Three fans reflect on a heartbreaking day

GRIMSBY FAN: Nathan Johnson, who lives in Torquay.

Mariners paid for missing key chances, says traveller Mariner GRIMSBY-BORN Nathan Johnson, 20 – who now lives in Torquay – was one of the many fans who travelled from all corners of the country to cheer on Grimsby Town.

He said he believed The Mariners paid for missing key chances in the game.

He said: “I’m devastated, so emotional, just speechless really.

“The amount of chances we had, we should have finished it off in the first half.

“We were the better. team throughout the match.

“The players will be feeling devastated as well.

“They won’t be able to sleep tonight thinking about this.

“We had three or four good chances but the end product just wasn’t there.

“Next year we’re going to come back stronger and better and next year will definitely be our year. It’ll happen eventually.”

“DISAPPOINTING” is how Matt Wright, 39, of Chichester, summed up the day.

He said: “It’s just so disappointing.

“This is the third year in a row we’ve lost in the play-offs now, but we will come back.

“We have to. I’m still taking it all in to be honest.

“I hope they sign up all of the players that are out of contract, if they so that we will be alright and we’ll be back stronger.” ● Jacob Campbell-Griffiths, 13, of Grimsby, was also upbeat about Town’s future.

He said: “I thought we started the game really well and we were dominant and scored a really good ‘WE WILL COME BACK’: Matt Wright. goal.

“Unfortunately they equalised which I thought we were a bit unlucky with.

“To lose on penalties is not nice, but one side has to win and one has to lose. “ We will just have to go and get automatic promotion next year. I think the team played really well though and deserve a lot of praise.” ● Matthew Joyes, 24, of Boston, said: “I thought we were really good in the first half and were on top, but we just had nothing up front and couldn’t get that second goal.

“I still thought we edged it though and they were fortunate not UPBEAT: Jacob Campbell-Griffiths. to have their goalkeeper sent off.

That really changed the game for me.

“You can’t blame the players though, they gave everything out there.

“Unfortunately they just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net again, and that’s what you’ve got to do. ”We’ve got to keep the squad together now and build on what we’ve got.

“The foundation is there, we just need to add another one or two players and push on.

“Our ambition has to be to win the title now.”

‘REALLY GOOD’: Matthew Joyes.

DISAPPOINTED: Andrew Allison.

‘I wish there was a better way of deciding finals’ “I THINK we deserved to win from open play.”

That was the verdict of “despondent” fan Andrew Allison, 32, of Uppingham.

He said: “Bristol Rovers kept all their players after they were relegated last season and it showed.

“I’m a bit despondent to be honest. I just wish there was a

better way of deciding finals.

“I think we deserved to win it from open play, but technically their penalties were a lot better than ours.

“We have got to keep the squad together now and push on for next season, we have no other option. Who knows what will happen to the manager.”

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Grimsby Town at Wembley #UTM was order of day ahead of match MESSAGES of support for what fans said is “the best Mariners side for 5 years� were dominating Twitter feeds and Facebook groups across the town.

From Saturday onwards, fans were upbeat about Grimsby Town’s prospects and took to social media to share their good luck messages and predictions for the outcome.

And, of course, there were regular updates from our team on the ground, who were happily mixing with the fans as they arrived in the capital.

Here are just a few of those messages – including some from some familiar faces. � Tony Hunter @TonyHunterscie @GrimsbyTel C’mon you ????Mariners!????.

I’ll be there tomorrow – great memories from NEL council – now exiled in London! ??????????????????FISH!!???? � Holly P Clyburn @HPClyburn Come on lads @officialgtfc @GrimsbyTel play offs @wembleystadium tomora All the best from us all the way in Turkey @LETgolf event supporting � Grimsby Holiday Inn @GrimsbyHIX @GrimsbyTel @officialgtfc good luck for tomorrow from all of us at the hotel. #grimsby #grimsbytown #GTFC � Gary Henshaw @Henchontheradio @GrimsbyTel @officialgtfc COME ON YOU MARINERS! Back where WE belong! UTM! � Jack Longstaff @GTJacklongstaff @GrimsbyTel photographer @rickGTsnapper getting into the party spirit ahead of Town’s match tomorrow!

Fans were upbeat as they arrived at Wembley for the clash

There was a party atmosphere as fans made their way into the stadium, turning Wembley Way into a sea of black and white.

Despite being the underdogs and being outnumbered by the Bristol Rovers fans two to one, the Mariners were determined to roar Grimsby Town to victory.

Most believed it would be a tight game, but they were unanimous in their confidence that this was our year.

Our reporting team Matt Scrafton and Jack Longstaff were among the fans to find out more ...

Suited for game in memory of brother

â—? Karl Fitzgerald @Karl_Fitzy

@GrimsbyTel @D18UNK @AndyChilt @ kylesinks @rayblain come on UTM !!! � LeatherRepairCompany @leatherrepairuk @GrimsbyTel come on Grimsby be strong and win this – you should all be very proud of yourselves � HumberstonNewWaltham @HumberstonNWltm Good luck to Grimsby Town ?? #7822 � David T Wade @DAVIDTWADE1 Not slept, stomach churning, need a drink, so nervous – surely this time – third time in a row lucky – C’mon You Mariners! #utm � Toni Parker @tonip28 This is your day @officialgtfc we know you can do it... bring league football home!! #utm #ThisTownKnows #promotion #Wembley � Cath Tiger @cathtiger Good luck to @officialgtfc at Wembley today.

They offered to lend us their ground once. It’s not forgotten. #gtfc #hcafc � mark lever @marklever2 I cannot believe it is seventeen years since Wembley and that magic year, I hope and pray the Mighty Mariners produce today #UTM � Richard Sales @DICKYSALES @GrimsbyTel Arriverderci Bristol Rovers; from a die hard Mariner in Italy! � Shelly @minxyshelly Come on town!!!!! @officialgtfc ?? � Dave Hooper @wheelworldrevu Good luck #GrimsbyTown this afternoon – get back in the league where you belong! #UpTheMariners #GTFC � Michelle Hurst @michellehurst1 We may be outnumbered by Bristol fans, we may be smaller but we are mightier ... the Mighty Mariners #gtfc #VanaramaBigDayOut

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WE ARE TOWN: Grimsby town fans arrive at Wembley. Buy these photos at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910.

Pictures: Duncan Young

SIMON West, 46, a town fan of some 40 years travelled down with his family from Louth.

He was sporting a black and white striped suit – inspired by the untimely death of his brother Gavin, who was also a lifelong Mariner’s fan.

Sadly, he lost his battle with leukaemia last year.

Simon said: “Eighteen months ago I lost my brother to leukaemia. “He was the heart and soul of Grimsby, so I wanted to do something special for him. “He was a massive fan – he went to home and away games. “I’m confident we’ll get the win, it’s the best side we’ve had in 50 years. “You just wait until you hear the fans out there. That’s what matters, not how many fans have turned up. “It doesn’t matter that there’s more of them (Bristol fans).�

BIG DAY: Simon West wore a black and white suit in tribute to his late brother, Gavin.

Seeing double in the capital ‘Players know what it means to fans’

AMONG the first to head up Wembley Way were twins Darren Wray and Daniel Wray, both 35, from Cleethorpes.

Darren said: “I’m feeling optimistic that Town can win, I think it’ll be a late goal. “We’ve had a great time in London, it doesn’t matter about being outnumbered we’ll out-sing them as usual.�

Daniel added: “Yesterday was a really good day but it’s all about today. “I think it will be a low scoring affair between two good teams. But I think we will do it.

IT WAS a real family outing for Matt Woodley, 34, and his wife Laura, 33, who brought along Wembley first-timer five-year-old Lewis.

Matt said he believed that Grimsby would surprise the Bristol Rovers players and thrive off of their underdog status. “Today has got to be the day. I can’t cope with another year in this division. Bristol Rovers are too good for this league and we’re the underdogs, but that will play into our hands and we’ll

surprise them. “The 2 to 1 fan ratio won’t matter, we’ll still out-sing them. “Our away support has been brilliant so hopefully we can

recreate that away support today. “Players know what it means to fans, this is best group of players we’ve had. It’s our best shot at it in years�.

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‘Win or lose we’re going to enjoy day’

FOR some fans it was all about enjoying the day.

Keith Ball, 60, Josh Ball, 16, Morgan Hawksworth, 11 and Ian Frary, 58, made the trip from Grimsby.

Keith said: “Win or lose we’re going to enjoy the day. We’ll make as much noise as possible.

“Grimsby is three times smaller than Bristol so it’s a credit that so many town fans have come down.

On Town’s underdogs status Keith added: “When was the last time the bookies got everything right?

“It’s even if you ask me. It helps us that the expectations on Rovers are immense. With the size of their club they expect to win today”.

‘History is on our side this time’

FLYING THE FLAG: Lindsay and Lee Smith brought along their sons Harvey and Freddy to the match in London.

Tense match awaits, says Town fan ANDREW Rooke, 45, from Keelby said he believed it would be a tense match.

He said: “I think it will be very tight and we’ll win 1-0 courtesy of Mr Disley, which would be ironic as he’s a former Bristol Rovers player.

“Being down here on Wembley Way is just brilliant, it’s what it’s all about.

You forget all about the money when you see all this. The atmosphere feels nice and friendly so far but it will be a different story when the game kicks off.”

‘I hope Lenny gets the winner’

FISHY FRIENDS: Andrew Rooke, 45, from Keelby, and his family and friends.

‘Too many times we have walked away losers’ A NUMBER of fans had mixed feelings as they headed for the stadium.

Among them was Alex Billingham, 52, from Grimsby, who said: “I’m a bit nervous, but optimistic at the same time.

“It’s about time we did it. Too many times we have walked away as the losers.”

HOPING FOR A WIN: Alex Billingham, 52, from Grimsby, and his fellow supporters gather outside Wembley ahead of the big game against Bristol Rovers.

FAMILY of four Lindsay and Lee Smith, both 35, and their two sons Harvey, 10, and first time Wembley-goer, seven-year-old Freddy Smith, made the long trip from Grimsby to support the Mariners in North London.

Lee was expecting Town to come out of the game as 2-1 victors.

He said: “History is on our side this time.

“Hopefully it’s third time lucky today, it’s finally our time.

“The team is good enough to go straight up to League One never mind League Two. It doesn’t matter that we’ll be outnumbered, we’ll still come out on top.“

TONY and Roma Boundry, 63, from Grimsby were feeling nervous but hopeful of a win.

Tony said: “I’m feeling pretty nervous. I don’t want to give it the kiss of death but I think we’ll do it.

“We were out in London yesterday and it was a really good atmosphere and we saw plenty of Town fans.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere inside the stadium and although we’ll be outnumbered we’ll still be loud. I hope it’s Lenny who gets the winner because he gets a lot of stick.”

“The atmosphere among the Town fans has been superb.

Trafalgar Square was a great experience and the weather has made it even better.”

TOWN FANS: Tony and Roma Boundry.

‘It’s all about the noise’

UNIVERSITY Of Liverpool students Darren Dodge, 20, Daniel Murphy, 20 and Ryan McCarney, 19, caught up with Andy Dodge, 50, from Grimsby to soak up the pre-match atmosphere inside the stadium in beautiful sunshine.

Darren, originally from Grimsby, said

seeing the fans turn out in such large numbers would provide a lift for the team ahead of kick off.

“It’s all about the noise. It’s amazing being here in the stadium.

“Seeing all the fans here will give the team a massive lift, fingers crossed the team pull it off today.

SUPPORT: From left, Andy Dodge, 50, from Grimsby, and Darren Dodge, 20, Daniel Murphy, 20, and Ryan McCarney, 19.

“We’re ready to be a football league club again, – this is the best side we’ve had in years.

“It’ll be a tight game with just the odd goal in it.

“We’re all very nervous now that we’re in the ground. We can’t lose again, we’ve got to win this time.”

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Grimsby Town at Wembley

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Cheering fans roared on the Mariners in local pubs as they watched the exciting match on TV – and some of the bars were nearly full to bursting. Cleethorpes saw some of the most vocal and enthusiastic fans as they crammed into pubs and bars to watch the action unfold. Chanting and shouting filled the packed bars in many of the places – and nobody could doubt the enthusiasm of the dozens of fans who turned out to watch the match, despite the final result.

THUM’S UP: Jason Wall, Tara O‘Neill and Grimsby Town steward Michael White, outside The Fiddler in Cleethorpes.

Raising a glass to mighty Mariners despite result

‘SCRAPPY GOAL’: Guy Bemrose, outside Harveys, in Cleethorpes.

AT HARVEYS bar in Cleethorpes, Grimsby Leslie Williams, 61, of Cromwell Road, Grimsby, Town fan Guy Bemrose, 44, of Littlefield said: “I think they did well in the first half. We Lane, Grimsby, thought the Mariners put in a have held our own.”

He added during the half-time break: “In the good effort during the first half.

“They were playing well,” he said. “It was a scrappy goal but any goal will do.”

He believed that it “revs the other team up” if a side has trouble scoring in the first 15 or 20 minutes.

There was a great groan in the bar when Bristol Rovers equalised but Mr Bemrose said that goal came because they were probably motivated more to try harder by Grimsby’s goal.

Also in Harveys was Keith Woolliss, 55, pictured, of Cosgrove Street, Cleethorpes, who said during the first half: “I think Town have been fantastic. They were in charge.

It was a good goal.”

He had been hoping that Grimsby could win because, in the first half, they were “on top”.

Jacqui Bacon, 53, of Carr Lane, Grimsby, said: “It has been brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The atmosphere is electric. It always is.

“I have been a fan for years and years, since I was 16. It is brilliant the way they have played.” ● At The Studio, in Market Street, Cleethorpes, Mariners fan Steve Chapman, 51, pictured, of Canterbury Drive, Grimsby, said: “The first 20 minutes was good.

The goal came but, when the other side scored, it was a bit of a problem.

“It has been a brilliant game – fantastic. It’s good for the town. They have been a long time out of the league. They have played well.”

second half, they need to get a foot on it and start knocking it about and not give them too much respect.

“We need to shoot them down in mid-field but we are doing well.”

Jolene Tinsley, 35, of Walnut Crescent, Cleethorpes, said at half-time: “I thought they were brilliant. As soon as you score a goal, you lose it.

You think you are all right and then lose it.

“I think they have played pretty well. I like Arnold.”

Her husband, Ben Tinsley, 34, said at half-time that the Mariners had “nothing to lose” and “might as well go for the win”.

He believed the team was “sitting back” and it was “not good enough”. ● Over at The Fiddler, also in Cleethorpes, there was plenty of enthusiastic support in a packed bar.

Grimsby Town steward Michael White, 41, of Kingsley Grove, Grimsby, said: “It has been brilliant. They are not frightened.

“I have seen them play a little bit better at home but it’s a bigger pitch. They have attacked well.”

He has been a steward for Grimsby Town for about 14 years and is also a keen fan.

Tara O’Neill, 42, of David Street, Grimsby, said at half-time: “I can’t fault them at all. They have played really well.

“They are handling the ball all right. They are passing well. They are going in for tackles. Bristol Rovers haven’t had many chances on the goal.”

Jason Wall, 42, of Oban Court, Immingham, said: “It has been brilliant. They are playing absolutely brilliant football.

“They have just got to keep it on the floor a bit more rather than hooping it.”

Lee Hornett, 37, pictured, of Langton Close, Grimsby, said at half-time: “Town are playing well. They should have sent off the Bristol Rovers keeper for handball out of the box.

SUPPORT: Leslie Williams, Ben Tinsley and Jolene Tinsley, outside The Studio in Cleethorpes.

“The referee has evened it up a bit. Grimsby are playing well. Bristol are getting 50-50 balls and the rub of the green a little bit.

“Bristol look dangerous on the attack. It’s 50-50 and I couldn’t say which way it’s going to go. It could be either way.

“We have been unlucky enough in the past.”

Sadly, they proved to be prophetic words for the Mariners.

I think we played well in the first half. Bristol Rovers came into it a bit more after that but Town held their own Glenn Lamb

● It was a much quieter scene in O’Neill’s in

Cleethorpes compared with nearby bars in the resort but there were still plenty of Grimsby Town fans watching on the TVs. Glenn Lamb, in his Mariners shirt, was one of them and he said: “I think we played well in the first half.

“Bristol Rovers came into it a bit more after that but Town held their own.”

But Mr Lamb, 57, of Seascale Walk, Grimsby, added – again prophetically – that Grimsby lost another crunch game to Wrexham on penalties in 2013.

WATCHING GAME: Glenn Lamb, at O‘Neill’s, in Cleethorpes.

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GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH Monday, May 18, 2015

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Grimsby Town at Wembley

The agony of penalties...

SPOT OF BOTHER: Grimsby Town fans went through a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they watched their side fall short at the final hurdle yesterday. As you can see from these pictures, tension peaked during the penalty shoot-out. Sadly, the Mariners lost the match on penalties and these fans made their journey home reflecting on what might have been.

Pictures: Abby Ruston and Duncan Young

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Final

Whistle

Mariners vs Bristol Rovers PLAYER RATINGS James McKeown Could do little about Harrison’s equaliser, or any of the Rovers penalties 7/10

Carl Magnay Made one or two crucial blocks, before the Mariners were left heartbroken 8/10

Toto Nsiala Recovered from a nervy start to put in a strong display at the back 8/10 (Star Man)

02 mins

17 mins

GOAL! Lenell John-Lewis gives Town the John-Lewis almost grabs a second but perfect start after good work from Arnold Puddy is on hand to palm the effort away

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18 mins Puddy handles outside the area from Palmer’s shot, but only receives a yellow

HEARTACHE FOR BRAVE MARINERS Town denied a place back in the Football League in cruel fashion as Rovers win the shoot-out, writes LIAM WOOD

Shaun Pearson Won his fair share of headers, and nobody could fault his burning desire 8/10

Gregor Robertson

DEJECTED: Grimsby Town players react after Grimsby Town’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Bristol Rovers.

Picture: David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography

Lacked match sharpness, but was as solid as ever on the left of defence 7/10

Bristol Rovers 1

Having put in a brave performance at Wembley, the Mariners missed out on Conference promotion as Bristol Rovers triumphed from the spot.

Lenell John-Lewis gave Town a blistering start in normal time, only for Ellis Harrison to equalise as the tide turned in favour of the Pirates.

With a place in the 92 at stake, Rovers were clinical from 12 yards as Hurst’s men tasted defeat in the cruellest possible fashion.

Scott Brown Buzzed around in the middle of the park and put up a fight alongside Disley 7/10

Craig Disley (c) Led from the front as the Mariners were brave in defeat at the national stadium 8/10

They gave it everything they had beneath the famous arch – it just wasn’t meant to be

Nathan Arnold Made the opener early on, but Town didn’t make full use of his creativity 7/10

Ollie Palmer Failed to make a telling impact on the game before he was replaced

by Pittman 7/10

Lenell John-Lewis

Jon-Paul Pittman (Palmer 70): His penalty miss was a cruel end for the Mariners…7 Danny Parslow (Robertson 74): An assured display on his return to action…7 Craig Clay (Brown 99): Gave extra bite during his cameo…7 NOT USED: Christian Jolley, Ross Hannah

John-Lewis 2

IT took the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out defeat, but Grimsby Town’s dreams of a Football League return are over for another season.

Struggled to get much joy against the Conference’s meanest defensive unit 7/10

FROM THE BENCH

1

Harrison 29 (Rovers win 5-3 on pens)

Jack Mackreth

Gave the Mariners a blistering start and provided a dependable outlet 8/10

Mariners

ONLINE WEB VIEWS Here is a selection of comments from our interactive Big Match Live service. Can’t get to the game? Join in by logging on to www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport and stay in touch with the action by following the text updates and posting comments of your own...

Kev: We haven’t lost it today, it’s been some bad results and performances in the season.

Big Mart: Whatever happens, keep Hurst, good season for him, just missed out. UTM! KristenGy: Let’s try it the easy way next season with automatic promotion!

Earlier in the day, Gregor Robertson made a surprise return, having initially been ruled-out through injury.

He came back into the Mariners’ XI at the expense of Josh Gowling, who suffered an injury of his own in the build-up.

It marked a solitary change in the Town ranks, as Craig Disley led out the black and white troops against his former club.

The skipper received a huge ovation from both sets of fans when his name was announced on the PA system.

But once the pre-match dust settled, it was very much down to business.

Plenty would have forgiven some early nerves, but John-Lewis had other ideas as he gave the Mariners a blistering start.

Nathan Arnold drove at the opposition with purpose, and his cross deflected into the path of the birthday boy.

And, at the second attempt, John-Lewis made no mistake to give Town supporters a present of their own at the national stadium.

It was all one-way traffic, and two corners in quick succession were

GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH Monday, May 18, 2015

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29 mins

72 mins

89 mins

120 mins Full-Time

GOAL - Town fail to deal with a Rovers corner, and Ellis Harrison levels things

John-Lewis’ cross looks to strike an arm, but the penalty appeals are waved away

Parslow fizzes a cross into the box, but John-Lewis just can’t get anything on it

The referee blows his whistle, and the game will be decided on penalties

Rovers take the shoot-out 5-3, and Town face another season in the Conference

GRIMSBY TOWN Bad Boys Yellows

2 Reds

0

Magnay 41 (foul), Brown 87 (foul)

Team Stats Shots on target ......................4 Shots off target......................6 Corners...................................8 Offsides ..................................0

Bristol Rovers TEAMWORK: Action from the Conference Play-Off final at Wembley between Grimsby Town and Bristol Rovers. Lenell John-Lewis gave the Mariners an early lead (below) before Ellis Harrison equalised for the Pirates. With neither team able to be separated in normal time, the match was decided on penalties, with Rovers eventually winning 5-3.

Pictures: Abby Ruston and David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography

Bad Boys Yellows

2 Reds

0

Puddy 18 (hand ball), Taylor 36 (dive)

Team Stats Shots on target ......................4 Shots off target......................8 Corners...................................4 Offsides ..................................1

Line Up 25: Will PUDDY (Mildenhall 120) 03: Lee BROWN 04: Tom LOCKYER 05: Mark McCHRYSTAL (c) 06: Tom PARKES 07: Lee MANSELL 10: Matty TAYLOR 11: Jake GOSLING (Balanta 75) 14: Chris LINES 17: Ellis HARRISON (Blissett 80) 23: Andy MONKHOUSE NOT USED: Leadbitter, Clarke cleared amid pressure from the Mariners.

And if you needed any reminder, a brief melee signalled how important the Football League prize was to both sides.

Matty Taylor dragged a tame effort wide, and moments later James McKeown had to be on red alert to clear more danger.

Town’s number one raced off his line to meet Taylor, and he recovered from an initial slip to defuse the situation.

Darrell Clarke’s side enjoyed plenty of possession, although the warning signs were being sent in black and white.

Firstly, a quick break – orchestrated

by Scott Brown – saw John-Lewis denied by Will Puddy.

And then on 17 minutes, the Rovers keeper may well have seen red for handling outside the penalty box.

Ross Joyce saw it as a yellow card offence, but given that Palmer’s effort was heading towards target, it seemed a brave decision.

Playing with confidence, the Mariners were inches away from a second when Arnold flashed wide on 20 minutes.

In the aftermath of his stunning brace against Eastleigh in the

semi-finals, the loanee nearly made it a perfect hat-trick.

Unfortunately for Arnold, his strike missed by a coat of Wembley paint – with Puddy well and truly beaten.

Hurst’s men dominated for large parts of the opening exchanges – it mattered little, though, as the Pirates were soon back on terms.

Town failed to deal with a corner from the right, and Harrison was on hand to smash home his 14th of the season.

There’s no ideal time to concede, but the goal well and truly knocked the Mariners for six amid a wave of Rovers pressure.

Two penalty appeals were turned down by referee Joyce, the first of which brought a yellow card for simulation.

Taylor was the guilty man – and as Rovers continued to press, Town had their ‘Player of the Season’ to thank.

Not for the first time this season, Carl Magnay – on a booking – produced a superb, last-ditch challenge to deny Chris Lines.

After the half-time break, the pace dropped somewhat as both sides recharged from an end-to-end opening 45.

Neither side was able to fashion any clear-cut opportunities, but there

were signs an opening was just around the corner.

At one end, Toto Nsiala timed a last-ditch challenge to perfection, while Arnold very nearly found a way through at the other.

Pittman and Danny Parslow were summoned from the bench – in place of Palmer and Robertson – while the Pirates made two changes of their own.

Following a half of rare goalmouth action, the game sparked back into life as extra-time drew closer.

Driving at the Town defence, Taylor found enough space to unleash a powerful effort.

Magnay, though – as ever – was on hand to deflect away for a corner.

And at the other end, an advancing Parslow flashed across goal, but John-Lewis just couldn’t quite make up the ground.

It was crying out for a hero, but as referee Joyce blew his whistle to signal the end of 90 minutes, that moment would have to wait.

Lee Mansell was denied by McKeown upon the restart, and with penalties looming, another Rovers’ opportunity was passed.

Shaun Pearson gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position – but while Lines found himself unmarked,

he was unable to capitalise.

Just when Town yearned for some luck, an untimely slip from Pittman saw a golden chance go begging.

Having re-energised the Mariners following his introduction, Clay won possession and fed his US-born team-mate.

Bearing down on Puddy’s goal, Pittman looked for an alternative option – but upon contact the substitute lost his footing.

In a Louis van Gaal-esque move, the Pirates made their final change – with Steve Mildenhall strapping on his gloves to enter the fray.

And while the Conference showpiece is a far-cry from the World Cup, it meant the ex-Town stopper was standing in the way of their promotion quest.

Disley won the toss and sent Rovers towards the black and white army, but that mattered little as Clarke’s men were soon celebrating.

Disley, John-Lewis and Clay netted from the spot, but Pittman blazed over as the Mariners were felled in painful circumstances.

There couldn’t have been a more heartbreaking end for Town.

However, they gave it everything they had beneath the famous arch – it just wasn’t meant to be.

9

MATCH STATS

Attendance....................47,029 Match Rating..........................7 Referee: Ross Joyce .............6

10

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Grimsby Town at Wembley Wembley agony – but Town’s time will surely come

by Matt Dannatt

Deputy Sports Editor

matthew.dannatt@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Twitter: @mattdannatt

NESSUN Dorma rang around the national stadium ahead of kick-off in the Play-Off final, with the pre-match tenor, Martin Toal, describing it as a ‘song about winning’.

If they didn’t already know it after FA Trophy defeat two years ago, Grimsby Town are now in no doubt that Wembley is certainly no place for losers.

Steeled by that defeat to Wrexham in 2013 – and seemingly countless similar heart-breaks – they took to the field looking like a different animal yesterday.

The travelling army of Town fans were comfortably outnumbered by their Rovers counterparts, but they were unbowed from start to finish.

Those in black and white were sent into dreamland by Lenell John-Lewis’ shock early goal, which settled some of the nerves – and quietened the boisterous Rovers fans.

They were incredulous minutes later when Will Puddy handled Ollie Palmer’s shot outside of his box, but his only punishment was a yellow card, administered by that man Ross Joyce.

Despite seeing their side make an incredible start, those in the East Stand were silenced when Harrison fired in his equaliser. The nerves were back with a vengeance.

They appeared breathless as chances for their opponents came and went. Mercifully, half-time wasn’t long in coming, affording everyone to catch their breath.

Given their exertions in the first-half, there was something of a lull among both sets of supporters as the final restarted.

But an improvement from their side roused the Town fans – sparking their rivals at the other end of the ground.

The chant of ‘Paul Hurst’s Black and White Army’ was becoming an incessant refrain from Town’s half of Wembley’s bowl, but still the teams remained deadlocked all the way to the nerve-shredding spectacle of penalties.

In the end, it was crushingly similar to that shoot-out of 2013, with Jon-Paul Pittman missing the decisive spot-kick, while, to their credit, Rovers were faultless from 12-yards.

That horribly familiar feeling was back again, but the size of the prize that had been snatched from their grasp made it immeasurably worse.

As Darrell Clarke admitted afterwards, the footballing gods had shone on his side in the capital, while they saw fit to condemn Town to a sixth season out of the Football League.

It wasn’t the Mariners’ year, but their time will come. It has to, doesn’t it?

PIRATES PARTY: The picture no Mariners fan wanted to see... Bristol Rovers players celebrate winning the Conference Play-Off final at Wembley.

Pictures: David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography

Clay: Fans made the hairs on my neck stand on end “THE fans were right behind us by Liam Wood every step of the way, and we Sports Writer feel like we have let them liam.wood@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk down.”

Twitter: @liamwoodGT

That was the message from Craig Clay after Grimsby Town’s promotion charge ended in heartbreak at Wembley.

Lenell John-Lewis gave the Mariners a blistering start at the national stadium, only for the tide to turn in Bristol Rovers’ favour.

Ellis Harrison got the Pirates back on terms after 29 minutes, and that’s how it stayed before Darrell Clarke’s side reigned supreme from the spot.

It just doesn’t feel real that we have lost – gutted is not the word Craig Clay

SPOT ON: Grimsby Town’s Craig Clay takes a penalty in the shoot-out during yesterday’s final.

Clay, who slotted home his penalty, said: “Everyone is absolutely gutted – none of us ever thought about losing.

“We were confident, but not over-confident, because we know we are a good team.

“It just doesn’t feel real that we have lost – gutted is not the word.

“Bristol Rovers brought up to 10,000 more fans, but you wouldn’t have known it.

“Honestly, that’s the first time – since my debut – that an atmosphere has made the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up.

“Our fans were right behind us every step of the way, and we feel like you have let them down.”

Having started on the bench,

Clay was summoned into action in the closing stages of normal time – replacing Scott Brown.

And the 22-year-old gave the Mariners added bite in midfield as they sought after a dream return to the Football League.

But in the most heartbreaking circumstances – following a Jon-Paul Pittman miss – it just wasn’t to be.

Clay added: “We have got to stick together now.

“Lenny (John-Lewis) gave us a great start, but one or two things didn’t go our way.

“If their keeper had been sent-off, we would have been 1-0 up against ten-men.

“Maybe then it could have gone a different way, but it wasn’t to be and we are all absolutely gutted.”

Like many of his team-mates, Clay is out of contract in the summer.

But with a new-found motivation to go one step further next season, the midfielder is backing the deflated Mariners.

Clay continued: “We have said it before, but if we had this group of lads at the start of the season, we would have won the league.

“It maybe wouldn’t have been comfortable, but we have got so much quality and team spirit.

“Our morale – with the players, fans and backroom staff – is as good as I have ever experienced.”

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11

For more news, pictures and videos from the big weekend, visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/wembley

‘Great team spirit will keep us united’

Magnay wants core of squad to stay for another title push

CARL Magnay says it’s ‘imperative’ by Matt Dannatt that Grimsby Town keep together Deputy Sports Editor their band of brothers after matthew.dannatt@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk yesterday’s Conference Play-Off Twitter: @mattdannatt final disappointment.

Magnay is himself one of a number of players who are now out of contract following yesterday’s heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Bristol Rovers.

But despite the uncertainty over his own Town future, Magnay says the ‘number one’ priority for the summer is to keep the nucleus of the current squad together.

“It is vital we try and keep this squad together,” he told the Telegraph. “It’s good that people have picked up on the good team spirit and squad morale over recent months.

“I feel that we as a squad are so close.

We’ve got a chat group on our phones of the whole squad and we always throw banter at each other on it.

“We’ve become closer as a unit so that has to be imperative over the summer – the number one priority has to be keeping the nucleus of this squad

together going into next season but we will get results, guaranteed.

“Team spirit has certainly helped us over the second half of this season and it will do next time around.”

We as Grimsby footballers are spoilt rotten because we have an amazing following Carl Magnay Town’s player of the year also reserved special mention for the superb travelling support that descended on Wembley, fans that have taken the former Gateshead man to their hearts

this season.

He continued: “I didn’t expect our fans to be out-sung today and they weren’t.

We as Grimsby footballers are spoilt rotten because we have an amazing following.

“I think at this level of football, to have the support we have is incredible.

“It didn’t surprise me yesterday that even when they were outnumbered two to one, they were superb.

“It’s not a biased view, but out on the pitch all we would hear was Grimsby Town.

“The vocal backing made us want to run those extra yards and fly into those challenges – I’m just so sorry we couldn’t do it for them.

“I genuinely thought right until the last minute that we would do it. I didn’t want the final whistle because I felt we were going to score and that something was going to happen.

“It hasn’t really hit us yet I don’t think because I almost feel we should have won but the bottom line is we haven’t.”

TIGHT TUSSLE: Carl Magnay in the thick of the action at Wembley yesterday.

Picture: Abby Ruston

EMOTIONAL: Above, Jon-Paul Pittman looks dejected after missing his penalty. Below, James McKeown on the deck. Bottom, Bristol Rovers’ Lee Mansell scores the winning penalty.

Pictures: David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography

12

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Grimsby Town at Wembley

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Proud Hurst sticks by his battling men

by Matt Dannatt

Deputy Sports Editor

PROUD: Mariners boss Paul Hurst (above) is hoping to keep as many players as possible for next season.

Pictures: Abby Ruston

matthew.dannatt@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Twitter: @mattdannatt

GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst pledged to do all he can to keep his heart-broken squad together as they face up to their sixth season out of the Football League.

HEARTBROKEN: More action from Grimsby Town’s Conference Play-Off final defeat to Bristol Rovers at Wembley.

Pictures: Abby Ruston and David Horn/eXtreme aperture photography

The Mariners couldn’t make it third time lucky in the Play-Offs as they saw their dreams of promotion shattered in the cruellest of fashion by Bristol Rovers at Wembley yesterday.

It had all started so brilliantly for the travelling army of fans when Lenell John-Lewis bundled home an opener inside two minutes, but Ellis Harrison got Rovers on terms before the break.

However, 120 minutes of football couldn’t separate the two sides, the final was decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out – and we all know what happened next.

Afterwards, a visibly emotional Hurst spoke of his pride of his players’ efforts and, with uncertainty over some out-of-contract stars, spoke of his desire to keep the majority of his squad intact.

However, he did concede that yesterday could potentially be the last time certain members of the squad pulled on a black and white shirt.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “In the dressing room afterwards, there were a few tears and one or two who were obviously distraught. That, after 49 games, was an extremely cruel way to lose.

“I spoke with the players and told them how proud I am of their efforts this season – and that’s not just the lads who took the field yesterday – that includes everyone – including those who haven’t kicked a ball.

“Had we had that squad all season, we might have won the league, some other clubs will say the same, but the truth of the matter is that we probably couldn’t afford that squad for the full season – you have to work within your means.

“I’m not going to sit here and blame the budget, but it is nowhere near where people expect because of our history and

attendances. We’re still a non-league club and that’s the bottom line today.

“I think the players have proved what they’re capable of over a long period of time. We can try to keep the squad together as much as possible, but one or two will move on to pastures new.

“There were some performances yesterday that lazy scouts will have picked up on and will do more digging on them.

“We can only do what we can, but I would certainly like to keep the majority of the squad together.”