Here’s a video of local rivals celebrating their own return from the Conference in 1988 and with us all hoping for similar scenes at Blundell Park come 2011.
Thanks to our friends at Pass The Remote on Youtube, we can take heart in Lincolnshire clubs having some history in getting back into the Football League at the first attempt. As most people know, Lincoln City were the first team relegated to the Conference in 1987 and a year later they returned in a season known as ‘Murphy’s Mission’ after their returning boss, Colin Murphy.
Fate was both against the Imps on relegation – they had not been bottom at all during the 1986/7 season until the end of that final game – and also for them in 1988, when they only reached the top spot in the last week of the season, beating Barnet in the end who had lead the pack for so long.
Surely the Mariners must emulate – and then do better back in the Football League – than our County Carrot Crunching Cousins?
And don’t forget one hundred odd years ago, who did Grimsby Town replace in the Football League after Town’s drop back into Non League footy?
The omens may be coming back. The omens may be good, only time will tell.
And watch out for ex Grimsby legend Nigel Batch who was in goal for the Imps that day (and for that season too).