Next up for David Artell’s Mariners is the visit of AFC Wimbledon in an all to play for game at Blundell Park on the final matchday of the regular Sky Bet League Two season.
The Dons currently sit 6th in the table ahead of tomorrow’s crucial clash, just two points ahead of the Mariners, with both sides hoping to earn a coveted spot in the Play-Offs to extend their campaigns. Wimbledon previously earned promotion to League One via the Play-Offs in 2016 and had five consecutive seasons in the third tier of the Football League before relegation back into League Two in 2022.
Over the 45 games played across their 2024-25 campaign, Wimbledon have won 19, drawn 13 and lost 13, with their longest unbeaten run coming between Boxing Day and the end of February where they both won and drew six games. The South-West London club top the clean sheet charts with 21 but have not scored a goal in their last three games of football, their last league goal coming in the fifth minute of their clash with Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, 12th April.
Wimbledon are coached by 42-year-old, Johnnie Jackson, who joined the club in May 2022 following their relegation back to League Two. In his first year in charge, he narrowly kept the Dons up, finishing in 21st above the relegation zone, before a 10th-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign. They now find themselves pushing to remain in the Play-Offs after 90 minutes tomorrow. Jackson’s only previous managerial job was with Charlton Athletic in Sky Bet League One. Jackson will be serving a touchline ban at Blundell Park on Saturday following his red card dismissal against Port Vale on Saturday, with Terry Skiverton in the dugout in his place.
A key player for the Dons will be midfielder, James Tilley. The former Mariner has had an impressive season in the middle of the park for the Wombles, with 11 goal contributions in League Two. The 26-year-old is a constant goal threat, frequently getting shots off and delivering crosses into the area for his teammates. Tilley signed for the South-West London club during their big reshuffle in the summer of 2023 and the forward-minded midfielder is playing a key part in the Dons’ journey over the past couple of seasons.
Another stand-out player for the visiting side this season has been shot-stopper, Owen Goodman. The 21-year-old is on loan from Crystal Palace and has had a hugely successful season in net for the Dons. With 20 clean sheets across the campaign, he sits top of the League Two clean sheet charts for the campaign and recently earned himself a spot in the Team of the Season for his contributions. The 6″4″ shot-stopper has represented both and England and Canada as a youth international and is experiencing his second loan spell away from the Eagles, getting golden opportunities at a young age to make a name for himself as a professional goalkeeper. The Mariners will have to be at their brilliant best to find a way past Goodman and the most resolute defence in the league.
Tickets for tomorrow’s game are SOLD OUT, but we’d still like to urge any Season Ticket holders who are unable to make it, to please release your seat.
For any supporters who release their seat for tomorrow’s game only, you will be entered into a draw to win a 2025-26 Season Ticket, as well as a second draw for a Season Ticket for the season.
How to release your seat
All season ticket holders need to do is go to their “My Account” area, select “My Current Tickets”, scroll down to the specific game and click “I cannot Attend a Match – Release My Seat”. The Ticket Office team will then be notified who has given up their seats and they will be included in the monthly draw.
Season Ticket holders who release their tickets for this game only, will be put into a draw to win a 2025-26 Season Ticket as well, as a separate draw along with all other supporters who have released their seats throughout the campaign.
Penalty shootout
We will be looking for two young Mariners to take part in our penalty shootout against Mighty Mariner before kick-off tomorrow afternoon and these will be chosen by one of our First Team players.
Matchday Information
For all your timings and more information regarding matchdays at Blundell Park, click here to find out about the Fan Zone, bars, first time fans and much more.
Supporters will have plenty of food options to choose from around the ground tomorrow afternoon:
Cooky Cooks – Lower Stand
Food Dudes – Pontoon
The Dogs – Main Stand
Sharky’s – Upper Stand
Hat Tricks Food Pod – Osmond Stand (Behind the goal)
No.1 Pub – Osmond Stand (Covered Corner)
To find out more information and to see menus, follow @GTFC_SLO on X
Rob Bywater will be providing pre-match entertainment in the Fan Zone and face painting will also be available.
Tomorrow’s edition of The Mariner is a souvenirs edition and includes an exclusive interview with retiring physio Dave Moore, as well as a picture page and stats page, notes from David Artell and Polly Bancroft and a closer look at our opponents.
There is still 50% off all our remaining replica junior and adult shirts in the Club Shop, as well as all shorts now being £9.
2,000 free Harry Haddocks available inside turnstiles
As part of our ‘Bring your Harry’ initiative, the Club will be handing out 2,000 Harry Haddocks inside the turnstiles, so we urge supporters to arrive early to help create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Reporting Sexual Harassment, Anti-Social or Discriminatory Behaviour
At Grimsby Town, we believe that Football is a game for everyone, everywhere and we are proud of the welcoming atmosphere that you create at Blundell Park every matchday. However, every season, there are hundreds of reports of discrimination across the game and likely more that go unrecorded.
We would like to reiterate our zero-tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, anti-social behaviour, sexual harassment and abuse of any kind at Blundell Park.
You can report any discrimination directly to the Club by texting 07926575610 on matchdays, alerting your nearest steward or completing this short online form.
We now also have fan-facing boards around the ground with QR codes that can be scanned and will send you directly to the form on our website.
Matchday Contacts
Here are your key matchday contacts tomorrow:
David White, Facilities Manager & Safety Officer – [email protected]
Kristine Green, Supporter Liaison Officer – [email protected]
Amanda Jane Stephenson, Disabled Liaison Officer – [email protected]
Hayley Carver Smith, Family Co-Ordinator – [email protected]
You can also Tweet @GTFC_SLO on X or message the Club on our social media channels.
Matchday Feedback
If you would like to provide Grimsby Town F.C with any matchday experience feedback, do not hesitate to drop us an email on [email protected]
Live Streaming
Overseas fans can watch the game live on Mariners TV for £10 and UK listeners can tuned in with a monthly audio subscription. Click here for more information.
We look forward to welcoming our supporters to a packed-out Blundell Park!
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