As the Mariners prepare for Sunday’s Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg at Blundell Park, Head Coach David Artell has delivered a message to supporters ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

With a sold-out home crowd set to back Town, Artell has called for focus, togetherness and belief as the Mariners aim to take a positive result into the second leg against Salford City.

Here’s the full message from the Head Coach…

“This is what you work all season for.

From the first day of pre-season through every challenge, every setback, and every positive moment, the aim is to give yourselves a chance to compete at this stage. The players have earned that opportunity through their consistency, their resilience, and the standards they’ve set over a long period.

But reaching the play-offs is only part of the job. Now the focus shifts to what we do next.

Two-legged ties are different. They demand control, discipline, and an understanding of the bigger picture. There will be moments across both games where we have to show patience, and others where we need to be aggressive and brave. Managing those moments properly will be key.

We know the challenge ahead. Salford are a strong, well-organised side with quality throughout their squad, and they’ve shown over the course of the season why they’re here.

We respect that, but our focus is firmly on ourselves, on delivering the level of performance we know we’re capable of.

It’s important we approach this game with clarity. Not emotion, not noise, just a clear understanding of our roles and responsibilities.

When we’ve been at our best this season, it’s come from discipline, togetherness, and belief in what we’re doing. Those principles don’t change now.

At the same time, this is a moment to embrace.

Days like this at Blundell Park are special. The atmosphere, the intensity, the connection between the players and supporters – it all matters.

Your backing can give us that extra edge in key moments, and we’ll need it.

This is only the first half of the tie, but it’s an important one.

We’ll give everything to put ourselves in a strong position going into the second leg.

Let’s face it together.

Up the Mariners,

David”

UTM