We are delighted to welcome former Mariners striker Garry Birtles back to Blundell Park as our Returning Legend in McMenemy’s for tomorrow’s fixture against Crewe Alexandra.

Supporters inside the stadium will also be able to welcome Garry back to Blundell Park, with the former striker set to be presented to the crowd on the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Birtles enjoyed a distinguished career across English football during the 1970s, 80s and early 90s and is best known for his time with Nottingham Forest, where he was part of the legendary side under Brian Clough that conquered Europe.

After joining Forest from non-league Long Eaton United, Birtles quickly made his mark at the highest level of the game. He scored in the 1978/79 European Cup against holders Liverpool and helped Forest to lift the famous trophy in consecutive seasons, defeating Malmö FF in the 1979 final and Hamburger SV in 1980. During that period he also scored twice in the 1979 League Cup Final victory over Southampton.

His performances earned him a £1.25 million move to Manchester United in 1980, where he went on to make more than 60 appearances and score 12 goals across all competitions.

Birtles later returned to Forest before spells with Notts County and eventually the Mariners, where he rounded off a career that included over 400 Football League appearances and three caps for the England national football team.

The striker joined Grimsby Town in 1989 and was part of the squad that achieved promotion from the Fourth Division in the 1989/90 season. Across two seasons at Blundell Park he made 63 league appearances, scoring nine goals, including a memorable hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Wrexham AFC in April 1990.

Birtles has previously spoken fondly of his time with the Mariners and regarded his spell at the club as a fitting way to close his playing career.

Supporters attending tomorrow’s match will have the opportunity to hear from Garry in McMenemy’s ahead of kick-off, as he reflects on his career and shares memories from his time in black and white.

We look forward to welcoming Garry back to Blundell Park and hope supporters enjoy hearing from one of the club’s returning legends.

UTM