As we bring another season to a close, Chief Executive Officer Polly Bancroft has issued a message reflecting on a year of significant achievement both on and off the pitch.

In her end-of-season update, Polly paid tribute to the collective effort behind what has been one of the Club’s most successful campaigns in recent memory.

Polly’s full message is below:

Dear Mariners,

As we come to the end of another season, I wanted to take a moment to thank every one of you for your incredible support, commitment and passion for Grimsby Town Football Club throughout the year.

First and foremost, I want to say a huge thank you to our supporters. Your backing home and away has been nothing short of outstanding. The atmosphere you create at Blundell Park, and the way you have followed the team across the country, continues to be the heartbeat of this football club. Your support means everything to everyone connected with Grimsby Town.

This season has been a hugely successful one across the football club, and everyone should be incredibly proud of what has been achieved together.

On the pitch, the men’s first team reached the play-offs and secured our highest league finish in twenty years. We also recorded one of our highest-ever EFL points totals and achieved our most EFL clean sheets in 20 years. These are fantastic achievements that reflect the hard work, resilience and togetherness shown throughout the squad. I would like to place on record my thanks to David Artell and his staff for the outstanding work they have done throughout the campaign.

A special congratulations must also go to Harvey Rodgers on being named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Season – a thoroughly deserved recognition following an outstanding campaign.

Huge congratulations also go to Ben Thomas and everyone involved with our women’s team, alongside Neil Woods and all Academy staff, following league-winning campaigns and another excellent year of player development across our pathways. Across the club, the commitment shown by our coaches, players and staff continues to drive standards forward and create an environment everyone connected with Grimsby Town can be proud of.

I would also like to recognise the achievements of both the men’s and women’s BTEC teams for winning their divisions, with the men’s BTEC side also lifting their cup competition. Every player representing this club has contributed to a season we can all be proud of.

Our disability teams have also enjoyed an outstanding season, with both the Red and Black teams winning their Lincolnshire Ability Counts leagues and enjoying strong cup campaigns. The Grey team remains in contention to win their league. These achievements are a brilliant reflection of the inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment that continues to grow across the club.

Off the pitch, we saw the highest average home attendance since 1990/91 and a 40% increase in our social media following, showing the continued growth of the club and the strength of our connection with supporters both locally and globally.

We have also continued to make significant progress as a business. We achieved record commercial revenues, while our retail team surpassed £1 million in sales for the first time in the club’s history – an achievement that places us alongside many Championship-level clubs. These milestones are a testament to the ambition, creativity and dedication shown across all departments.

I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to our owners, investors and commercial partners for their continued backing, support and belief in the football club. Their commitment continues to play a hugely important role in helping us grow and progress both on and off the pitch.

We have also continued to strengthen the connection between the club, our supporters and the wider community. The improvements made to the matchday experience, alongside the way we have engaged with supporters throughout the season, have helped create a stronger sense of pride and togetherness around Grimsby Town. We will continue to work closely with the Mariners Trust on matters that are important to supporters as we look to strengthen that relationship even further moving forward.

We should also recognise the continued impact of our Foundation within the community. The work being delivered every day continues to make a real difference to people across the region and is a vital part of what this club stands for. The reach and influence of the Foundation continues to grow, and everyone involved should be incredibly proud of the positive impact being made both on and off the pitch.

I would also like to congratulate Rae Walker on being shortlisted for EFL Employee of the Year. This recognition reflects not only Rae’s outstanding contribution, but also the dedication and professionalism shown by so many staff across the football club every single day.

I also want to recognise the many people behind the scenes whose contribution is essential to everything we achieve. Our technical, performance, medical, recruitment and analysis teams, player care staff, grounds and maintenance teams, catering and events staff, retail, ticketing, finance, media, safeguarding, and administration colleagues all play a vital role in supporting our players, supporters and the wider club every single day. Much of this work happens quietly in the background, but it is hugely valued and never goes unnoticed.

Successes like these are only possible because of the collective effort across the entire football club. Whether front-facing or behind the scenes, every individual has contributed to helping drive Grimsby Town forward this season.

Over the coming weeks, we will take time to properly review the season and continue shaping our plans for the future.

Thank you once again to our supporters, our players and everyone across the club for your continued effort, support and dedication.

Best regards,
Polly Bancroft

UTM