Ahead of our Youth Team game at Blundell Park against Salford City U18s in the second round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday (7pm KO), Meg Garbutt sat down with forward Henry Brown to talk about the competition, his journey through the Mariners’ age groups and making his First Team Debut in black and white.
Henry joined Town’s Academy at the age of seven and has progressed through the ranks to a second-year scholar in the Youth Team.
Henry achieved a milestone in black and white on Tuesday night as he was named in David Artell’s starting XI for our Bristol Street Motors Fixture away at Chesterfield.
“I’m incredibly proud to have made my debut for the Club,” said Brown on making his first start for the First Team. “It’s a huge milestone for me, and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.
“What makes it even more special is that I’ve come through the academy since I was in the under eight age group, and I feel so fortunate to have had the support and guidance of all the coaches who’ve helped me get to this point. I’m thankful for everything they’ve done to help me develop.
Young Mariner teammate Callum Storr joined Henry in the starting eleven against the Spirites; the two youngsters finding the target in the first round of the FA Youth Cup to set up Friday’s tie against Salford City at BP.
“All the lads are really looking forward to it, because it’s a big occasion. Round Two at home and a chance to get through to the next round is what we all want and hopefully another big tie can come with that.”
Neil Woods’ side ran out 2-1 winners over the Stags at the One Call stadium earlier this month to book themselves a place in the hat for the second stage of the competition.
“As soon as the draw was made, we knew it would be a tough game. We know them (Mansfield) really well.
“The first-half wasn’t as good as what we wanted it to be, but in the second-half we put the game plan together, all the lads enjoyed it and I certainly enjoyed scoring a goal early on which set the tone and then to get the last minute winner felt incredible.
“With last minute winners, you know the game’s almost over and you’re tired. It’s a relief to get that winning goal and know you don’t have to go to extra time.”
Brown scored the only goal in the third round of the Youth Cup at Blundell Park last season against a tough Nottingham Forest side, before setting up a fourth-round tie against Millwall where they bowed out of the competition.
“I remember it being a tough game, with Nottingham Forest being a Premier League side. We stuck to our game plan well and stayed nice and compact throughout the game.
“The fact it was at Blundell Park helped massively, because you’ve got the crowd behind you. The game ended up going to extra time and I think we’re one of the fittest teams in the leagues, which I believe showed in those latter stages of the game.
“Most of the Forest players were pulling up with cramp and near the end, we had the fitness to pull through and ultimately score the winner.
“It’s great experience, because we all aspire to be regularly playing at BP in the next stage of our career and becoming professionals.
“Scoring is an unbelievable feeling. In the Youth Cup you get better exposure, so being able to score just adds to that feeling.”
The Young Mariners currently sit 16th in the Northern Youth Alliance League which is made up of 25 teams, with their most recent run of results being three consecutive stalemates.
“I think in these last few games especially, we’ve improved, but we’re certainly not where we want to be in the League.
“I think we started well, but then our performances dropped off, but we’ve all been working hard in training to get them back to the level we want them to be and I think that hard work has shown in our recent results.”
Each year, a new crop of scholars move up from the academy and ahead of the 2024/25 season, the Youth Team welcomed 10 new additions to the set-up.
“We’ve known the new first year scholars quite a few years. At the end of last season, they were able to mix in the group and play a few games with us towards the end, so we had quite a good idea of what everybody’s strengths were and where we can help each other to improve.
“I think we’ve all gelled really well. It’s a good set of lads and we all get along and I think that helps a lot when you’re playing, because it creates a good atmosphere and environment before and during a game which in turn helps to create good performances for the team.”
Seb Auton is one of a few of the Youth Team players who has experienced First Team football and due to unfortunate injury circumstances, made his debut for the Club away at Carlisle in September and is now a regular on the bench for the Mariners.
“With that extra experience, he’s been much more mature, so he knows what he’s doing on the pitch, he knows how to command his box really well and I think that helps the team.
“In the dying moments against Mansfield, he was commanding the box and telling the defence where to be and I think that makes a massive difference, having that extra bit of encouragement and tactical knowledge to help see the game out.”
Joining at the age of seven, Brown has enjoyed a decade as a Mariner after turning 17 in April.
“It feels good to come all the way through the age groups and it makes me really proud, especially from being around the Grimsby area.
“Being able to come all the way through, I’ve known many of the coaches for a while. I’ve known Loz a while and Cal was my first ever coach when I joined, so we’ve had that bond from a young age.
“Having experience with the First Team in pre-season has really helped my development and being around the lads, which hopefully gives me an edge in the next steps which is hopefully getting a professional contract.
“We’ve spoken about how to improve, where to be at what time and a few different targets. Obviously being a forward, you want to score as many goals as you can, but sometimes that’s not always the case. It’s about helping and creating those chances and ultimately helping the team to win.”
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