ABOUT
The story of the club · in 7 chapters
Origins and Early Years
Grimsby Town were founded on 20 September 1878 as Grimsby Pelham F.C. by a group of local cricketers from the historic Lincolnshire fishing port of Grimsby, with the Pelham part of the name a tribute to the local Pelham landed gentry. The name was changed to Grimsby Town in 1879, just a year after founding. Early matches were played on various local grounds before the 1899 move to Blundell Park in neighbouring Cleethorpes — a peculiarity that has made Grimsby the only Football League club whose ground is in a different town from the one it bears the name of. Election to the Football League came in 1892 as founder members of the Second Division, and Grimsby have been continuously a member of the EFL since their 1911 readmission, with the only break being a 2010-2016 spell in the Conference. The black-and-white striped kit, adopted in 1910 in imitation of Newcastle United, has been the Mariners' primary look ever since. The town's heritage as one of the world's busiest fishing ports gave the club its 'Mariners' nickname and its enduring maritime identity.
Greatest Moments
Grimsby Town's most celebrated single recent moment came on 27 August 2025, when David Artell's Mariners beat Premier League giants Manchester United on penalties at Blundell Park in the EFL Cup second round, with a marathon 12-11 shootout following a 2-2 draw — one of the great FA Cup-style giant-killings of the modern era. The 1935-36 and 1938-39 FA Cup semi-final appearances, both lost in close-fought ties, remain the deepest cup runs in the club's history. The 1997-98 Wembley double under Alan Buckley — winning the Football League Trophy in May with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth and the Second Division play-off final three weeks later 1-0 over Northampton Town — is celebrated as one of the great seasons in club history. League title moments include the 1933-34 Second Division championship that took Grimsby to the top flight, the 1955-56 Third Division North championship and the 1971-72 Fourth Division title. The 2021-22 National League promotion under Paul Hurst, sealing a return to the Football League after six years out, is also a celebrated modern moment.
The Stadium
Blundell Park has been Grimsby Town's home since 1899 — over 125 years of unbroken occupancy, making it one of the longest-tenured senior football grounds in England. Located on Cleethorpes Road in the neighbouring seaside town of Cleethorpes (the only Football League club whose ground is in a different town from the one it bears the name of), the stadium has a current capacity of 9,546 across four covered all-seater stands. The largest is the Findus Family Stand on the south side, with the Pontoon Stand at the east end housing the most vocal home support, the Osmond Stand at the west end accommodating away supporters, and the Main Stand on the north touchline. The ground holds a record attendance of 31,651 from a 1937 FA Cup tie against Wolves, although the modern all-seated capacity is much reduced. Plans for a new stadium have been a feature of club discussions for many years and remain a long-term ambition. Visiting supporters generally praise the matchday experience for both atmosphere and the unique seaside character.
Fanbase and Rivalries
Grimsby Town supporters take great pride in the club's place as the senior professional side in the historic fishing port and the wider Lincolnshire coast region. Home support concentrates in the Pontoon Stand at Blundell Park, where the most vocal singing section gathers, with strong away followings on the lower-league circuit. The biggest modern rivalry is with Scunthorpe United, the Iron from across the Humber estuary in North Lincolnshire, in a fixture sharpened by geographical proximity. Hull City retains the deeper historical Humber derby edge, although league meetings have been infrequent. Other rivalries include Lincoln City (Lincolnshire derby), Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United. Songs around the ground include 'Sing When We're Fishing' — the famous Grimsby anthem playing on the maritime heritage — and the 'Black and White Army' chant. The supporters' trust, the Grimsby Town Mariners Trust, has been an active voice in club affairs through the recent ownership transition to current owner Jason Stockwood and the broader club rebuild.
Legends
Striker Pat Glover holds the all-time goalscoring record for Grimsby with 182 league goals between 1930 and 1939, and his name is celebrated in club folklore. Manager Bill Shankly, who served at Grimsby from 1951 to 1953 before going on to legendary status at Liverpool, is part of the Mariners' heritage. Manager Alan Buckley, who served three spells totalling many years and led the 1997-98 Wembley double, is the most successful Grimsby manager in modern history and is in the club's Hall of Fame. Striker Lennie Lambert, defender Tony Crane and goalkeeper Aiden Davison are 1990s favourites. From the 2021-22 National League promotion side under Paul Hurst, captain Luke Waterfall, midfielder Harry Clifton and goalkeeper Max Crocombe are widely remembered. The famous EFL Cup giant-killing of Manchester United in August 2025, with goals from Charles Vernam and the marathon penalty shootout heroics, has elevated David Artell's current squad to instant legend status. Forwards Lee Ashcroft and John McDermott are also Mariners icons.
Recent Era and Current Project
Grimsby Town's modern era has been a roller-coaster. The 2010-2016 Conference period was a difficult chapter, with the club twice missing out at the National League play-off stage before Paul Hurst delivered promotion via the play-off final in 2021-22. Hurst left in late 2023 and David Artell was appointed in November of that year. Owner Jason Stockwood, who took over with co-owner Andrew Pettit in 2021, has overseen significant investment in Blundell Park, the academy and recruitment, with Operation Promotion the long-term project. The 2024-25 season finished ninth in League Two, a significant step forward, and the 2025-26 campaign has continued the upward trajectory with Artell's side challenging at the top of the table. The famous EFL Cup penalty shootout win over Manchester United in August 2025 was a national moment. Artell signed a contract extension to 2028 in July 2025 and the longer-term project is a return to League One and beyond. Stadium redevelopment plans remain an ongoing discussion.
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