2006-2007 Season Review

By: Sam Kinnaird
Date: 21/05/2007

FOOTBALL has always been a game of contrasting emotions, with highs as well as lows. However, 2006-2007 has to go down as a roller coaster ride in the fortunes of Grimsby Town, although perhaps, looking at the final league position, you would be forgiven for not thinking so.

The opening month of the new season began on a sour note off-the-field for town with BBC Radio Humberside announcing that there would be no commentary on the Mariners in the near future. This was a result of the two parties failing to agree a new deal for the season.

After a summer of rapid change at Blundell Park, fans had high hopes of another promotion challenge under new manager Graham Rodger. New signings Phil Barnes, Isaiah Rankin and Peter Beagrie made their debuts but it was teenage striker Peter Bore who made the biggest impact. The 18-year-old came on as a second half substitute in the opening game against Boston and inspired a comeback from 2-0 down. Bore bagged two goals and Rankin one in a pulsating second half which brought Town all three points in the derby.

Town failed to build on the win and successive away defeats at Wrexham (3-0) and Bristol Rovers (1-0) brought the Mariners back down to earth. On the following Friday Michael Boulding and Mansfield came to Blundell Park and grabbed a point with a 1-1 draw, again Peter Bore was on the score sheet.

The month brought two more defeats at the hands of Crewe (3-0) in the Carling Cup and a 3-0 defeat at Bury left Town in 18th place with fans already questioning the appointment of Rodger.

September

The month began with a poor 1-1 draw at home to Macclesfield in which new signing Danny Boshell made his debut and Ciaran Toner grabbed his first of the season from the spot. However things picked up when unbeaten Walsall came to Cleethorpes. Little was expected of Town but goals from Paul Bolland and Peter Bore brought a 2-1 win.

The inconsistency was back though, with a 1-0 loss at Rochdale in front of under 2,000 fans. Town then travelled to Chester City and the game looked like heading for a goalless draw until Gary Jones grabbed a stoppage time winner, and youngster Andy Taylor wrapped things up with his first for the club. But September brought only one more point with home losses against Stockport (1-0) and Hartlepool (4-1), and a battling 2-2 draw at Darlington which left Town in 19th place.

October

Two weeks without a game after the Darlington match gave Town a much-needed break and opportunity to regroup. A 2-1 win at home to Hereford in front of the Sky cameras brought back some confidence, but the month brought only one more point. Town lost 3-0 at high-flying Swindon but won 5-3 on penalties at Lincoln City in the Johnstone Paint Trophy after a 0-0 draw.

Notts County came to Blundell Park next and grabbed a comfortable 2-0 win in a game that was never in any doubt, but another battling 2-2 draw brought a point at Peterborough. Graham Rodger was coming under increasing pressure from the Mariners fans and an extremely poor 3-0 defeat at Mansfield in the Johnstone Paint Trophy brought him the expected dismissal. Who would the new manager be?

To be continued......

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