There are successful seasons, and then there are campaigns that redefine standards.

For Grimsby Town Women, the 2025/26 season will forever be remembered as one of the finest in the club’s history – an unforgettable journey that delivered silverware, promotion, records, milestones and a perfect unbeaten league campaign.

Under the guidance of Ben Thomas, the Mariners stormed to the East Midlands Women’s Division One North title in emphatic fashion, winning all 16 league matches, scoring 80 goals and conceding just 10. Week after week, Town combined attacking flair with defensive resilience, producing performances full of confidence, character and togetherness.

But beyond the statistics and silverware, this was a season built on belief.

A Fast Start That Set The Tone

The signs of what was to come appeared immediately. Town opened the campaign with a dominant 5-1 Adobe Women’s FA Cup victory at North Ferriby, where Milly North announced herself in style with a hat-trick. It was an early glimpse into the relentless attacking football that would define the Mariners throughout the year.

The goals continued to flow from there. A thrilling 5-2 victory over Chesterfield Women followed in the league opener before Town produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season against Newark Town Ladies. Trailing 2-0 after just 11 minutes, the Mariners responded with eight goals in an astonishing 8-3 victory, led by four goals and two assists from North.

That resilience quickly became a trademark. Whether battling back from two goals down to defeat Long Eaton United on penalties in the League Cup or overturning difficult moments against Boston Town and Cleethorpes Town Ladies later in the season, this squad repeatedly demonstrated its mentality and refusal to accept defeat.

Ruthless In Front Of Goal

At their very best, Grimsby Town Women were devastating.

The Mariners hit 15 goals past Ropsley Ladies in the County Cup, recorded emphatic derby victories over Cleethorpes Town Ladies, swept aside Newark Town Ladies 8-0 away from home, and consistently overwhelmed opponents with their movement, intensity and creativity.

The front line proved almost impossible to contain. Beth Wharton once again led by example, producing another extraordinary campaign in black and white. Already a club legend, Wharton scored 33 goals and registered nine assists in 21 appearances, delivering decisive moments time and time again.

Her influence stretched far beyond goals alone. Whether linking play, pressing defenders or creating opportunities for teammates, Wharton remained at the heart of Town’s attacking identity throughout the season. It was no surprise to see her crowned Women’s Player of the Year following a record-breaking campaign.

Alongside her, Milly North enjoyed a sensational season of her own. Dynamic, fearless and consistently decisive, North became one of the league’s standout performers. Hat-tricks, solo goals, assists and match-winning displays became almost routine as she terrorised defences week after week. Her Goal of the Season-winning strike against Notts County Development at Blundell Park perfectly captured her quality and confidence on the ball.

Meanwhile, players such as Liv Kershaw, Abbie Emslie, Eden Pedersen, Demi Barai and Alisha Dejonge all produced crucial contributions across the campaign, ensuring Town carried threats from every area of the pitch.

Strength Across The Squad

While the goals often grabbed the headlines, the success of this team was built on far more than attacking quality.

At the back, Jas Lacey delivered a series of outstanding performances throughout the campaign, producing vital saves in key moments – including penalty shootout heroics against Long Eaton United and crucial interventions during tense league encounters.

In defence, Leah Wray continued to lead by example during another exceptional season. Her 100th appearance for the club represented a deserved milestone for one of the side’s most consistent performers.

The campaign also highlighted the strength and depth developing throughout the club. Young players continued to emerge and contribute, while milestones for the likes of Kershaw and Dani Brighton underlined the growing foundations being built within the women’s programme. That collective spirit was perhaps the defining feature of the season. Every player contributed. Every squad member played their part.

The Defining Moments

There were countless standout afternoons along the way. The dramatic late County Cup quarter-final comeback against Cleethorpes Town Ladies showcased the side’s mentality. The hard-fought 2-1 victory over Dronfield Town Ladies in February felt like a huge step towards the title, and the dominant 6-0 victory over Belper Town Ladies saw Wharton reach a remarkable milestone – her 100th goal for the club.

Then came the defining day. On 9th March 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day, Grimsby Town Women travelled to face Dronfield Town Women knowing victory would secure the league title. They delivered emphatically.

A commanding 4-1 victory confirmed promotion and crowned the Mariners champions with games to spare, sparking jubilant celebrations at full-time after a flawless run of 13 wins from 13 league matches. Yet even after securing the title, the standards never dropped.

Town followed it with a 7-0 derby victory over Cleethorpes, another dominant home display against Lincoln United Women Development, before signing off the season with a commanding 5-0 victory away at Lincoln United to complete the perfect league campaign. Sixteen matches. Sixteen wins. An invincible season.

Building Something Special

This campaign felt significant for more than just the results on the pitch.

Crowds continued to grow, support around the team strengthened, and a record number of votes were cast in the club’s end-of-season awards – another sign of the increasing connection between the team and supporters.

The success of the Emerging Talent Centre also provided another encouraging reminder of the future being built at the club, with Isobel Thompson recognised as ETC Girls’ Young Player of the Year after an excellent season of development. Together, it all points towards a women’s programme moving firmly in the right direction.

A Season To Remember

There will be many moments supporters remember from this extraordinary campaign. Wharton’s goals. North’s brilliance. Pedersen’s thunderous strikes. Kershaw’s creativity. Last-minute winners. Derby victories. Cup drama. Milestones. Celebrations.

But perhaps what will be remembered most is the consistency. Week after week, Grimsby Town Women carried themselves like champions. They entertained, inspired and delivered one of the greatest seasons the club has seen.

Now, with promotion secured and momentum firmly behind them, the challenge becomes the next chapter. But whatever comes next, the 2025/26 season has already secured its place in Grimsby Town Women history.

UTM