Great to see Callum back in the squad and on the pitch. I really enjoyed his cameo against Swindon at the weekend. He showed glimpses of those creative attributes we've often lacked throughout the season. Hopefully,  we get to see much more of him in a Town shirt, and working under his old gaffer again, he could play a big part in things next season. My latest article is here.....

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/grimsby-town-david-artell-will-play-a-part-in-callum-ainley-retention/

Great to see him back involved after the year he's had - would be confident he'll get an offer. Think Saturday showed what a difference it makes when someone moves the ball quickly and accurately. Nice little bit of movement to get out of trouble and get it out his feet in one movement and then we're in on goal with a good pass. That's going to be vital next year.

The 'dugout cam' showed Artell sort of making the point to Pearson after he did it.

Such was the quality and timing of that pass to Smith, I was struck dumb with disbelief. He saw it and executed it so quickly, and that was a shock compared to the usual laboured and mis-directed efforts this season.

I turned to make a comment to the rest of my group, only to realise that none of them had come back from the bar at half time because it was freezing cold. Glad I stuck it out as it was worth it for the two excellent goals and much better than seeing them on the telly in the bar.

How long is he signed up for?

Quoted from Neilo83

How long is he signed up for?

He’s out of contract in the summer. Signed late in a one year deal.

Sign him up. Would be a great start to the summers transfer business.

Little bit of talk that a deal for next season is already sorted.  

I really hope that's the case as he's exactly the type of quality we've lacked in midfield for a long time.  It's all hypothetical but if we'd had a fully fit, or near fully fit, Callum Ainley for the majority of his time here we wouldn't have struggled as much as we have this season.

Also hope for the lad that he can put this year behind him and kick on again with his career and life.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Little bit of talk that a deal for next season is already sorted.  

I really hope that's the case as he's exactly the type of quality we've lacked in midfield for a long time.  It's all hypothetical but if we'd had a fully fit, or near fully fit, Callum Ainley for the majority of his time here we wouldn't have struggled as much as we have this season.

Also hope for the lad that he can put this year behind him and kick on again with his career and life.

I think Ainley would help Thompson too. Ainley is a much smarter player than any of our other centre mid options and my only criticism of Thompson is sometimes he dallies on the ball. However, I suspect if he actually had someone finding space for him to pass to then this wouldn't be as much of a problem, I'd probably delay getting rid of it too if my options were Green, Clifton, Andrews or Holohan. Really hope Ainley signs up, be basically like having a new signing.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Little bit of talk that a deal for next season is already sorted.  

I really hope that's the case as he's exactly the type of quality we've lacked in midfield for a long time.  It's all hypothetical but if we'd had a fully fit, or near fully fit, Callum Ainley for the majority of his time here we wouldn't have struggled as much as we have this season.

Also hope for the lad that he can put this year behind him and kick on again with his career and life.

I would welcome him here, he's a  very good player.

Keeping him fit during the summer and him not getting a silly injury during preseason would see Ainley as a new signing!

A Mixed bag of comments from Crewe fans when he signed. He also had a couple of serious hamstring injuries.

Let's hope he can stay well and injury free.



"See Ainley has got a one year deal at Grimsby. Pleased for him, did his best for us and wouldn't have liked him to be lost to football"

"That's good news - though no doubt he will score against us! - just amazed it took this long. For his future, he really needs to show he can stay fit for a season I would imagine"

"I don’t think staying fit is his main concern. (dislocated shoulder is a bit of a freak injury). Main concern should be consistent performances of the level required for L2"

"Hope he's not available when we play them"

"He's on the bench for them today"

"A fairly poor performer on the whole, hope he does play against for that very reason should have been released 3 or 4 years ago. He would get nowhere near our first team now"