Grimsby Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of Hull City centre-back, Andy Smith on a youth loan until the end of the season, subject to National League approval.
Smith spent the first half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Salford City, his first spell away from his parent club but has since been recalled for his move to the Mariners after four appearances in all competitions for the Ammies.
Andy came through the ranks at the Tigers, a club he has been at since the age of eight and was given the captain’s armband for the Under 18s, prior to signing a new contract with the club until 2023. Smith made his professional debut for the club in a 3-2 victory at home to Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy in January 2021.
GTTV spoke exclusively to Smith this afternoon at Cheapside following his first session with his new teammates.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be here, Grimsby is such a massive club, definitely not where we should be in the football pyramid.
“Salford was a good experience. I didn’t quite get the minutes that I was after but going and experiencing a bit of men’s football on my first loan has just done me wonders. Like I said I wasn’t getting the minutes that I wanted at Salford so hopefully coming here I can maybe do that and get some men’s football under my belt.
“I am an honest defender. I like to tackle, I like to block balls and hopefully, I can bring my passing game, I quite enjoy playing out from the back so hopefully, I can bring some of that to the team.”
Paul Hurst spoke to GTTV today and admitted that Andy was on his radar earlier in the season.
“Andy was one that we were looking at, to be honest early in pre-season but he ended up moving to Salford, so I kept an eye on him, spoke to Gary Bowyer over there on his progress and although he hasn’t had a load of game time, I have kept my eye on him and he has always been on my list of possibles and obviously from a location point of view, it’s great.
“He is in the mould of new young centre-halves who are wanting to come out with the ball, he is good on the ball, can hit some nice passes, diagonals and balls in for attacking players. I like what I have seen, we have brought him in and he will add competition so I am pleased that he has come in and can show people what he can do”.
You can view Andy & Paul’s interview below via our official YouTube channel.
Interested in sponsoring Andy for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign? Email our Commercial Manager David Smith for further information.
Andy will wear the number 26 shirt for the Mariners for the 2021/22 season and you can see if he makes his debut tomorrow as we welcome Altrincham to Blundell Park. You can purchase your tickets online now using our online ticket portal.
Welcome to Blundell Park, Andy!
