Hockless to Join Leigh

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 14/10/2004

MIDFIELDER Graham Hockless is to leave Blundell Park to join Conference outfit Leigh RMI on loan. The popular 21-year-old playmaker, who many fans feel has been unlucky never to get a regular first team place, is expected to join the Lancashire club tomorrow.

Grimsby boss Russell Slade told Radio Humberside: "Graham and I have spoken at length and it's important that he gets some competitive football. Going to a club like Leigh RMI will do him the world of good both physically and mentally".

Hockless, who almost left Blundell Park in the summer after being kept out of the first team most of the previous season by Paul Groves and then Nicky Law, was persuaded by new manager Russell Slade to stay on after being promised regular first team action - something which has failed to materialise.

However, as Slade's team has increasingly taken shape since the early part of the post-season, Hockless has dropped down the pecking order, a fact not helped by being injured for the first few weeks of the new season.

A rare outing in the 2-1 defeat against Carlisle in the LDV Trophy failed to change Slade's mind on the Hull-born midfielder's inclusion in the starting XI. Hockless now joins teammates Greg Young (Northwich) and Darren Mansaram (Halifax) as Town's representatives on loan in the Conference.

Graham Hockless Profile.

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