Grimsby Town have turned their full attention to pre-season training as the 2026-27 League Two campaign edges closer. Paul Hurst, the Mariners’ boss, has his side working on sharpness after a campaign that ended with them seventh on 78 points from 46 games, just nine adrift of Bromley at the summit.
What’s driving the pre-season push?
Hurst’s side shipped 50 goals last term but still managed 74 strikes of their own, leaving them with a healthy +24 goal difference. The Mariners’ recent form, though, has been inconsistent: their last five outings read 0W-3D-2L (DDLLD), with a 2-2 draw at Salford City on 15 May 2026 marking their most recent outing. That result capped a season in which Grimsby finished seven points clear of the play-offs but fell short of mounting a serious title push.
Who’s shaping the squad this summer?
The Mariners are expected to add depth before the transfer window slams shut. Hurst has already moved to strengthen areas that leaked goals last term, with defensive reinforcements high on the agenda. The squad’s core remains intact, but fringe players are under pressure to stake claims for regular minutes as pre-season drills intensify.
What’s next for Grimsby?
The opening fixtures for League Two 2026-27 are just weeks away. Hurst will use the remaining pre-season games to test combinations and blood youngsters, with an eye on closing the nine-point gap to Bromley. The Mariners’ early-season run-in will be pivotal, but first they must rediscover the winning habits that kept them in the top half last time out. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 7th in League Two, 78 pts, 22W-12D-12L from 46 games, recent form DLDWW.
