Grimsby Town F.C.

File:GrimsbyTownFC League Performance.svg from joining as Grimsby Pelham in 1892–93 to the present|alt=refer to caption]]

Grimsby Town was formed in 1878 after a meeting held at the Wellington Arms public house in Freeman Street, Grimsby.{{cite book |last=Hales |first=Andrew |year=1998 |title=Memories of Grimsby |location=Halifax |publisher=True North Books |pages=24–25 |isbn=1-900463-97-0}} Several attendees included members of the local Worsley Cricket Club who wanted to form a football club to occupy the empty winter evenings after the cricket season had finished.

The club was originally called Grimsby Pelham, this being the family name of the Earl of Yarborough, a significant landowner in the area. In 1880 the club purchased land at Clee Park which was to become their ground until 1889 when they relocated to Abbey Park, before moving again in 1899 to their present home, Blundell Park. The original colours were blue and white hoops, which were changed to chocolate brown and blue quartered shirts in 1884.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Grimsby_Town/Grimsby_Town.htm |publisher=Historical Football Kits |access-date=3 June 2016 |archive-date=8 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608192704/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Grimsby_Town/Grimsby_Town.htm |url-status=live }}

In 1888 the club first played league football, joining the newly formed 'Combination'. The league soon collapsed and the following year the club applied to join the Football League, an application that was refused. Instead the club joined the Football Alliance. In 1890 the club became a limited company and in 1892 finally entered the Football League, when it was expanded to two divisions.{{cite web |title=Football League 1892–1893 |url=https://www.fchd.info/lghist/fl1893.htm |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=4 June 2016 |archive-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624164704/http://www.fchd.info/lghist/fl1893.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last=Slade |first=Michael J. |year=2013 |title=The History of the English Football League: Part One—1888–1930 |location=Houston, TX |publisher=Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency (SBPRA) |page=105 |isbn=978-1-62516-183-3}} The first game was a 2–1 victory over Northwich Victoria.

File:Grimsby Town F.C. team 1900-01, pictured in 1900.jpg in 1900–1901]]

The 1901–02 season saw promotion to the First Division, having finished as champions;{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1900–1901: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1900-1901/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717151624/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1900-1901/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} two seasons later they were relegated{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1902–1903: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1902-1903/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717152605/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1902-1903/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and within a decade they would be a non-League side again, failing re-election in 1910 and falling to the Midland League.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1909–1910: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1909-1910/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717153032/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1909-1910/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} However, they finished as champions at the first attempt and at the subsequent re-election vote, replaced local rivals Lincoln City in the Football League.{{cite web |title=Midland League – Honours |url=http://www.ncefl.org.uk/archive/prencel/documents/midlandleaguehonours.pdf |publisher=Northern Counties East Football League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717165205/http://www.ncefl.org.uk/archive/prencel/documents/midlandleaguehonours.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=live}}

Grimsby Town and Hull City were the only two professional teams which had official permission to play league football on Christmas Day because of the demands of the fish trade, but that tradition has now disappeared following the dramatic reduction of their trawler fleets in recent years.{{cite news |title=Grimsby fish market to open over festive period |url=http://www.fishupdate.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/6186/Grimsby_fish_market_to_open_over__festive_period.html |work=FISHupdate |publisher=Wyvex Media |date=21 December 2006 |access-date=4 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607063924/http://fishupdate.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/6186/Grimsby_fish_market_to_open_over__festive_period.html |archive-date=7 June 2012}}

This was the most successful period in the club's history. The first full season after World War I the club were relegated to the new Third Division;{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1919–1920: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1919-1920/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717185225/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1919-1920/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} in the initial 1920–21 season they played against the former members of the Southern League who had been invited to form the new division, but after a year an equivalent Third Division North was created and Grimsby moved across to that. By 1929 they were back in Division One,{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1928–1929: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1928-1929/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717194822/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1928-1929/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} where they stayed (with a brief break from 1932 to 1934) until 1939, obtaining their highest-ever league position, 5th in Division One, in the 1934–35 season. In 1925 they adopted the black and white stripes as their colours.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1934–1935: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1934-1935/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717195115/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1934-1935/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

Three Grimsby Town players, forward Jackie Bestall, goalkeeper George Tweedy and defender Harry Betmead each received a solitary England cap during the period 1935–1937. They remain the only players from the club to have received full England honours.

Grimsby reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1936, the game was played at Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road, but lost 1–0 to Arsenal,{{cite web |title=Arsenal defeats Grimsby Town in the FA Cup Semi-Finals |url=http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/BHC_RTV/1936/03/23/BGU407210345/?s=arsenal+1936&st=0&pn=1 |publisher=ITN Source |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629052658/http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/BHC_RTV/1936/03/23/BGU407210345/?s=arsenal+1936&st=0&pn=1 |archive-date=29 June 2017 |df=dmy-all }} with the goal coming from Cliff Bastin five minutes before half time.{{cite news |last1=Astor |first1=John Jacob |author-link1=John Jacob Astor IV |title=Arsenal in the Final |work=The Times |location=London |page=6 |date=23 March 1936}}

On 20 February 1937, the club's record attendance of 31,651 was recorded when the club met Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Trevor |title=Blundell Park through the ages |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Blundell-Park-ages-Grimsby-Town-fans-pack-ground/story-29145429-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=20 April 2016 |access-date=22 May 2016 }} {{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Grimsby also reached the semi-final of the FA Cup on 25 March 1939, Grimsby played Wolverhampton Wanderers, in a FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford. The attendance of 76,962 remains Old Trafford's largest ever attendance.{{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Graham |author-link=Graham Kelly (football administrator) |title=Terrace Heroes: The Life and Times of the 1930s Professional Footballer |year=2005 |publisher=Routledge |location=Oxford |pages=75–76 |isbn=0-7146-5359-4}}{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Marshall |title=Old Trafford's evolution |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/news-and-features/features/2011/mar/old-trafford-attendances.aspx |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=29 August 2012 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605223611/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2011/Mar/Old-Trafford-attendances.aspx |url-status=live }} The Mariners lost the game 5–0 after goalkeeper George Moulson was injured early in the match. With the rules forbidding substitutes for injuries, Grimsby had to play with 10 men and an outfield player in goal.

File:Blundell Park, Grimsby Town FC - geograph.org.uk - 1220126.jpg

With the resumption of the Football League for the 1946–47 season after World War II the club was relegated at the end of the 1947–48 season and has never returned to the highest level.{{cite web |title=Season 1947–48 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1947-48.html |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=5 June 2016 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727201300/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1947-48.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1947–1948: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1947-1948/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403082906/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1947-1948/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Much of the 1950s and 1960s were spent alternating between the Second Division and the Third Division North, later the Third Division. From July 1951 to January 1953 they were managed by Bill Shankly.{{cite news |title=When Bill Shankly and Allenby Chilton reigned supreme |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Shankly-Chilton-reigned-supreme/story-25806142-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=5 January 2015 |access-date=31 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503084710/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Shankly-Chilton-reigned-supreme/story-25806142-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 May 2015 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |title=Club Honours & Managers Roll Call |url=http://www.codalmighty.com/site/ca.php?page=club/managers |publisher=Cod Almighty |access-date=25 April 2011 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708174136/http://www.codalmighty.com/site/ca.php?page=club/managers |url-status=live }} His main problems were that Grimsby had been relegated twice in recent seasons, dropping from the First to the Third Division, and some good players had been transferred before he arrived.{{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Stephen F. |author-link=Stephen F. Kelly |year=1997 |title=Bill Shankly: It's Much More Important Than That |location=London |publisher=Virgin Books |pages=76–78 |isbn=0-7535-0003-5}} Shankly believed he still had good players to work with and was able to buy some additional players on the transfer market for low fees.{{cite book |last1=Shankly |first1=Bill |last2=Roberts |first2=John |author-link=Bill Shankly |year=1976 |title=Shankly |location=London |publisher=Arthur Barker Ltd |pages=66–67 |isbn=0-213-16603-8}}

Grimsby made a strong challenge for promotion in 1951–52 but finished second, three points behind Lincoln City (only one team was promoted from Division Three North, with one from Division Three South).{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1951–1952: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1951-1952/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403105048/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1951-1952/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{Blockquote|"Pound for pound, and class for class, the best football team I have seen in England since the war. In the league, they were in they played football nobody else could play. Everything was measured, planned and perfected and you could not wish to see more entertaining football".|Bill Shankly, in his autobiography in 1976.}}

Grimsby's aging team made a bright start in 1952–53 with five straight wins but eventually slipped and finished in 5th place. In 1953–54, Shankly became disillusioned when the board could not give him money to buy new players. He was reluctant to promote some promising reserves because of loyalty to the older players (a fault that was to resurface at Liverpool years later) and he finally resigned in January 1954, citing the board's lack of ambition as his main reason.{{cite web |title=Manager – Grimsby |url=http://www.shankly.com/article/2400 |publisher=LFCHistory.net |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229170115/http://www.shankly.com/article/2400 |url-status=dead }} Shankly's record in league football at Grimsby was 62 wins and 35 defeats from 118 matches. Shankly went on to win the Football League, FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Liverpool.{{cite news |title=Beginning a football revolution |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8386000/8386762.stm |work=BBC News |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=25 April 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014224948/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8386000/8386762.stm |url-status=live }}

Grimsby became the first English football club to appoint a foreign manager with the appointment of Hungarian Elemér Berkessy in 1954. Shortly afterwards Allenby Chilton became Grimsby's first player-manager, he joined late in the 1954–55 season from Manchester United. However, Chilton was unable to stop Grimsby from being relegated.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1954–1955: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1954-1955/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403151653/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1954-1955/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} But the following season, Chilton led Grimsby to the Division Three North title – the only club ever to go from relegation to promotion in one season.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1955–1956: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1955-1956/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403061653/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1955-1956/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Chilton continued as manager at Grimsby Town until April 1959 when he joined Wigan Athletic as manager for one season during 1960–61.

In 1968 Grimsby slipped into the Fourth Division for the first time.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1967–1968: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1967-1968/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403143604/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1967-1968/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The following season the club had to apply for re-election to the league having finished second from bottom.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1968–1969: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1968-1969/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403151204/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1968-1969/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} It was in this season that the lowest-ever attendance for a Football League match at Blundell Park was ever recorded; 1,833 saw a 2–0 defeat to Brentford.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} Arthur Drewry, a local businessman, married the daughter of Grimsby Town's chairman, and subsequently served as a director of the club before his own chairmanship.Our Association Football Correspondent. "Mr. Arthur Drewry." The Times, London, 27 March 1961, pg 19. Drewry became President of the Football League and Chairman of the Football Association after Grimsby, before he was elected as the 5th President of FIFA.

File:Grimb Badge.png

Grimsby Town broke their transfer record in 1972 with a fee of £20,000 for the signing of Phil Hubbard.{{cite news |title=Record signing Phil Hubbard is back for Grimsby Town reunion |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Record-signing-Phil-Hubbard-Grimsby-Town-reunion/story-23656557-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=28 October 2014 |access-date=6 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714124425/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/record-signing-phil-hubbard-grimsby-town-reunion/story-23656557-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2016 |df=dmy-all }} In the same year 22,489 people witnessed a home victory against Exeter City that saw the club promoted as Division Four Champions.{{cite news |title=A sea of 23,000 fans roared on McMenemy's champions of 71 |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sea-23-000-fans-roared-McMenemy-s-champions-71/story-11548372-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505070039/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sea-23-000-fans-roared-McMenemy-s-champions-71/story-11548372-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=24 August 2012 }} This turnaround was credited to the appointment of Lawrie McMenemy as manager.{{cite web |title=Lawrie Mcmenemy MBE |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/lawrie-mcmenemy-mbe/ |publisher=The League Managers Association |access-date=6 June 2016 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306032427/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/lawrie-mcmenemy-mbe/ |url-status=live }}

The club stayed in Division Three until relegation in 1977 but were promoted again in 1979.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1976–1977: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1976-1977/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403085554/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1976-1977/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1978–1979: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1978-1979/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403144956/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1978-1979/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} A year later they finished as Third Division Champions under the stewardship of George Kerr and returned to the second tier of the English game, a level they had not been at for 16 years.{{cite magazine |last=Ball |first=Phil |title=Magic Mariners |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/30-Clubs/2980-magic-mariners |magazine=WSC |location=London |publisher=When Saturday Comes |date=February 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604054349/http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/30-Clubs/2980-magic-mariners |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1979–1980: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1979-1980/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403062923/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1979-1980/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

A popular myth has it that in 1976 the local Member of Parliament and then Foreign Secretary Anthony Crosland invited the then United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to watch the Mariners play Gillingham.{{cite news |last=Hyde |first=Marina |title=Why grassrootsy protests are now a 'Must' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/04/red-knights-fans-protests-manchester-united |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 March 2010 |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906111724/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/04/red-knights-fans-protests-manchester-united |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=In Defense of Grimsby, the 'Worst Place in the UK to Be a Man'|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/in-defence-of-grimsby-the-worst-place-in-the-uk-to-be-a-man-193/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Vice.com|date=28 July 2015 |language=en|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416092223/https://www.vice.com/en/article/3bjkk3/in-defence-of-grimsby-the-worst-place-in-the-uk-to-be-a-man-193|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Issue Thirty One|url=https://theblizzard.co.uk/shop/issues/issue-thirty-one/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=The Blizzard|language=en-GB|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416092225/https://theblizzard.co.uk/shop/issues/issue-thirty-one/|url-status=live}} Despite this being widely reported in the media, with some outlets claiming Kissinger subsequently became a Grimsby fan, in reality Kissinger's Boeing 747 simply stopped off for a two-hour breakfast discussion with Crosland on the issue of Rhodesia at nearby RAF Waddington before flying directly to Nairobi.{{Cite journal|last=Bishop|first=William|title=DIPLOMACY IN BLACK AND WHITE: AMERICA AND THE SEARCH FOR ZIMBABWEAN INDEPENDENCE, 1965-1980|url=https://ir.vanderbilt.edu/bitstream/handle/1803/12942/BISHOP.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|journal=PhD|access-date=16 April 2021|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416092225/https://ir.vanderbilt.edu/bitstream/handle/1803/12942/BISHOP.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1976-04-25|title=Urges Rhodesia Talks|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/25/archives/urges-rhodesia-talks.html|access-date=2021-04-16|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416092225/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/25/archives/urges-rhodesia-talks.html|url-status=live}} However, Crosland's decision to force the US foreign policy leader to fly from London to Lincolnshire for their Saturday morning meeting was influenced by his desire to stay in his constituency and watch his local football team.

The first season back (1980–81) saw the club finish 7th.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1980–1981: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1980-1981/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403143553/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1980-1981/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Work started that year on a new £1 million stand, originally called the Findus Stand (now known as the Young's Stand) after the former Barrett's Stand had been declared unsafe, the stand opened for the first time on 29 August 1982, as the Mariners played hosts to Leeds United. In the 1983–84 season the club finished 5th in the Second Division after spending most of the latter part of the campaign in the top three promotion places.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1983–1984: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1983-1984/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403141635/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1983-1984/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} This was their highest league finish since the 1947–48 season. Grimsby Town's stay in the Second Division ended in 1987, having spent much of the 1986–87 season in the top half of the table, but a run of 8 losses and 2 draws in the final 10 games saw them fall from 8th to 21st before they could return to second tier again.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1986–1987: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1986-1987/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403145625/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1986-1987/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

1987–88 saw Grimsby Town suffer a second consecutive relegation, placing them in the Fourth Division.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1987–1988: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1987-1988/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403145310/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1987-1988/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The club's financial situation was also dismal, and as the 1988–89 season began, the task at Grimsby was to avoid relegation to the Football Conference, avoid expulsion from the FA and avoid going out of business completely. This was achieved, finishing 9th.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1988–1989: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1988-1989/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403141414/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1988-1989/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Following the resignation of Dave Booth in 1986 (to pursue outside business interests) the club had two managers in two years (Mick Lyons and Bobby Roberts). Alan Buckley was appointed after the 1988 relegation and by 1991 had led the club to two successive promotions with the chairman at that time being Peter Furneaux.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1989–1990: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1989-1990/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403145957/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1989-1990/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1990–1991: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1990-1991/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403141350/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1990-1991/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Grimsby were to remain in football's second flight for six years.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1996–1997: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1996-1997/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403133823/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1996-1997/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Buckley's crop of players consisting of some of the most popular and biggest cult heroes in the club's history; players such as Shaun Cunnington, Keith Alexander, Mark Lever, Dave Gilbert, Steve Livingstone, Paul Futcher, Paul Groves and Clive Mendonca made the club a solid second-tier side (the Second Division became Division One in 1992 upon the creation of the Premier League from the old First Division). In 1992–93, Grimsby finished 9th in the new Division One, and until well into April they were in the hunt for a play-off place that would have given them the chance of a third promotion in four years.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1992–1993: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1992-1993/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403084359/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1992-1993/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} They dipped to 16th place a year later, though they were never in any real danger of relegation.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1993–1994: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1993-1994/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403093357/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1993-1994/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

The Mariners began to produce homegrown talent from the club's youth academy, including Jack Lester, John Oster, Gary Croft and Peter Handyside. Buckley departed Grimsby in October 1994 to join West Bromwich Albion and he was replaced by defender Brian Laws.{{cite web |title=Brian Laws |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/brian-laws/ |publisher=League Managers Association |access-date=20 June 2017 |archive-date=5 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205134508/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/brian-laws/ |url-status=live }} Laws steered Grimsby to a 10th-place finish in his first season as manager.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1994–1995: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1994-1995/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403092018/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1994-1995/table |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} During his tenure, Laws became famous for a changing-room altercation after a defeat at Luton with Italian striker Ivano Bonetti, which left the latter with a fractured cheekbone, and caused the popular player to leave the club at the end of the season.{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Fordyce |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2770901.stm |title=When managers attack |work=BBC Sport |access-date=7 September 2007 |date=17 February 2003 |archive-date=28 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828103225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2770901.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Nixon |title=Bonetti walks out on Grimsby |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bonetti-walks-out-on-grimsby-1318849.html |work=The Independent |location=London |date=13 February 1996 |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-date=22 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622031211/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bonetti-walks-out-on-grimsby-1318849.html |url-status=live }} Grimsby finished 17th and were in the battle to avoid relegation right up to the penultimate game of the season.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1995–1996: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1995-1996/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325111312/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1995-1996/table |archive-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} In the 1996–97 season the Mariners were relegated from Division One. Despite flowing goals from Clive Mendonca, notably good performances from John Oster and newcomer Kingsley Black, Grimsby failed to save themselves.{{Citation needed|date=June 2017}} The club had suffered from the losses of Gary Croft, who made a £1.7 million move to Blackburn Rovers and ever present goalkeeper Paul Crichton.{{cite news |title=Croft returns to Blundell Park |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/4748015.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2005 |access-date=20 June 2017}}

{{football squad on pitch|align=right

| GK_nat = Northern Ireland | GK = Davison

| RB_nat = England | RB = McDermott

| RCB_nat = England | RCB = Lever

| LCB_nat = Scotland | LCB = Handyside

| LB_nat = England | LB = Gallimore

| RM_nat = England | RM = Donovan

| RCM_nat = England | RCM = Groves

| LCM_nat = England | LCM = Burnett

| LM_nat = England | LM = Smith

| RCF_nat = Ireland | RCF = Clare

| LCF_nat = Wales | LCF = Nogan

| caption =

}}

The 1997–98 season saw the return of Alan Buckley as manager, after an unsuccessful period at West Bromwich Albion, for Grimsby Town's most successful post-war season. In the summer of 1997, Buckley succeeded in bringing in players to the club who were to be instrumental in the club's upcoming season; former skipper Paul Groves was re-signed from West Bromwich Albion, and Kevin Donovan and David Smith also joined the club from Albion.{{Citation needed|date=June 2017}} The mid-season capture of Huddersfield Town midfielder Wayne Burnett proved to be a great bit of business for Buckley.{{cite news |title=Wayne Burnett – A GTFC Legend |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/wayne-burnett-a-gtfc-legend-2897792.aspx |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=12 January 2016 |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=18 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218124840/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/wayne-burnett-a-gtfc-legend-2897792.aspx |url-status=usurped }} After a seemingly poor start to the League campaign, performances improved, which propelled the club into a promotion battle with Watford, Bristol City and an expensively assembled Fulham (at the time the only club at this level to have spent seven-figure sums on players), with Grimsby finishing the season in 3rd place.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 1997–1998: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1997-1998/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325165614/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/1997-1998/table |archive-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

A good run in the League Cup saw the Mariners knock holders Leicester City and fellow Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday out of the competition before finally losing out to Liverpool.{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Jackson |title=Liverpool 3–0 Grimsby: On this day in 1997: Michael Owen scores first Liverpool hat-trick |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2013/11/day-1997-michael-owen-scores-first-liverpool-hat-trick/ |publisher=This Is Anfield |date=18 November 2013 |access-date=20 June 2017 |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620121057/https://www.thisisanfield.com/2013/11/day-1997-michael-owen-scores-first-liverpool-hat-trick/ |url-status=live }} A decent run of form had ignited the careers of such younger players as Daryl Clare, Danny Butterfield and Jack Lester who were becoming an integral part of the Blundell Park set-up. The Mariners went on to dump Burnley out of the Football League Trophy Northern section area final, which would see the club book its first trip to Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Gwilym |title=Buckley savours Wembley hat-trick |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7317202.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=28 August 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403034047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7317202.stm |url-status=live }} The club were drawn against Southern section champions AFC Bournemouth and in a tight game, an equaliser from substitute Kingsley Black took the game into extra time, and in the 112th minute Grimsby secured the game courtesy of a golden goal from Wayne Burnett. This was the first major trophy awarded to the club following its first appearance at Wembley. It took only four weeks for Grimsby to return to the stadium though, this time to face Northampton Town in the Division Two play-off Final. Town won the game 1–0 thanks to a first half Kevin Donovan goal which gave the club a historic Wembley double and the Mariners promotion back to Division One.{{cite news |title=Grimsby bounce back to Division 1 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/99789.stm |work=BBC News |date=24 May 1998 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216070317/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/99789.stm |url-status=live }}

The 1998–99 season saw Grimsby Town finish in 11th place, but the 1999–2000 season saw Grimsby struggle and finish 20th, avoiding relegation at the expense of Buckley's old club Walsall. The 2000–01 season saw a boardroom change with Doug Everitt taking over from Bill Carr. Everitt dismissed manager Alan Buckley just two games into the season, replacing him with Lennie Lawrence, who earlier in his managerial career had guided both Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough into the top flight. The new manager chopped and changed the playing squad around and brought in some expensive loan signings from abroad such as Zhang Enhua,{{cite magazine |last=Johnson |first=Jack |title=Zhang Enhua |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/26-the-strange-case-of/7920-zhang-enhua |magazine=WSC |location=London |publisher=When Saturday Comes |date=November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107025024/http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/26-the-strange-case-of/7920-zhang-enhua |archive-date=7 November 2015 |access-date=16 June 2016}}{{cite news |title=Enhua happy to be a Mariner |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/1109844.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2001 |access-date=7 June 2016}} Menno Willems signing from Vitesse for 160K,{{cite news |last=Bateman |first=Steve |title=Menno's The Man For Lennie |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11725/2204712/mennos-the-man-for-lennie |publisher=Sky Sports |date=2 March 2001 |access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616183315/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11725/2204712/mennos-the-man-for-lennie |url-status=live }} David Nielsen and Knut Anders Fostervold. Despite this, the club struggled to avoid relegation, only securing their place in Division One on the last day of the season with a win over promoted Fulham.{{cite news |title=Gutsy Grimsby stay up |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1310995.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2001 |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-date=18 January 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030118054514/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1310995.stm |url-status=live }}

The Mariners started the 2001–02 season strongly, topping the league table after five games. The club advanced to the third round of the League Cup where they met holders Liverpool at Anfield. In one of the club most famous victories, Grimsby held the Premier League team to a 0–0 draw after 90 minutes taking the game into extra time.{{cite news |title=Liverpool 1–2 Grimsby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1584478.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=9 October 2001 |access-date=16 June 2016 |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207124842/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1584478.stm |url-status=live }} Despite Gary McAllister scoring a penalty following a David Beharall handball to put the Reds 1–0 up, loan signing Marlon Broomes equalised before ex-Everton youth player Phil Jevons hit a 35-yard strike into the top corner of Chris Kirkland's goal to give the club a historic victory.{{cite news |last=Dominic |first=Fifield |title=Jevons stuns Liverpool at the death |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/match.sport5 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 October 2001 |access-date=16 June 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817104816/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/match.sport5 |url-status=live }} Grimsby's push for promotion faltered and the team's form declined rapidly, with Lawrence being dismissed halfway into the season. Paul Groves, the skipper, was chosen to replace him and he steered them to a 19th in the final table, enough to avoid relegation, but a disappointing end to a season which had begun so promisingly.{{Citation needed|date=June 2017}} The season was overshadowed by the collapse of ITV Digital putting enormous strain on finances for the club.{{cite news |title=ITV Digital woes bring football crisis |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1898021.stm |work=BBC News |date=28 March 2002 |access-date=30 May 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126163649/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1898021.stm |url-status=live }}

The 2002–03 season would bring relegation with the Mariners finishing bottom of Division One and relegated after five successive seasons at this level. At the time only one of their previous 12 seasons had been spent below the second tier of English football.

The sudden collapse of ITV Digital had left the club with debts of over £2 million, £700,000 of which was owed to the Inland Revenue{{cite news |title=Grimsby aim to avoid debt crisis |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/4172015.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2005 |access-date=14 June 2016}}{{cite magazine |last=Davies |first=Tom |title=Grimsby, Swindon, Stockport |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily//25-Sharp-end/1656-grimsby-swindon-stockport |magazine=WSC |location=London |publisher=When Saturday Comes |date=April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617003413/http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily//25-Sharp-end/1656-grimsby-swindon-stockport |archive-date=17 June 2016 |access-date=17 June 2016}} and a further substantial amount to their bankers, Lloyds Bank. The collapse had seen a lot of the smaller clubs playing in the second tier of English football struggle to make ends meet. Coupled with this, it meant first-team players such as Danny Coyne and Georges Santos moved on to other clubs.{{cite news |title=Leicester sign Coyne |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/3041602.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2003 |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515153441/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/3041602.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Santos signs for Ipswich |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/3074681.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2003 |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609220448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/3074681.stm |url-status=live }} For the new season, the club also had to supply its own kits following the closure of long serving kit suppliers Avec Sportswear. Grimsby Town played the season using the brand "Grimsby Town Sports".

Groves was dismissed in February 2004 following a poor stretch of games that had seen the club drop down the table,{{cite news |title=Grimsby sack Groves as boss |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/3472625.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2004 |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404085448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/3472625.stm |url-status=live }} his replacement Nicky Law was sacked himself only a few months later as Grimsby were relegated for a second consecutive season. Russell Slade was appointed as the new manager in May 2004.{{cite news |title=Slade takes over at Grimsby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/3753231.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2004 |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=28 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628045817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/3753231.stm |url-status=live }}

In 2005, director John Fenty became the controlling shareholder in the club after a search for outside investors failed, and a sale of shares to the local public was poorly received. He owned a 51% majority stake in the club and had made significant loans to the club to ensure its continued operation. Former Leicester City chairman John Elsom also joined the board of directors along with racehorse stable trainer and owner Michael Chapman in December 2002.{{cite news|title=John Elsom Joins Town Board |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~313830,00.html |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=10 December 2002 |access-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008075231/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~313830%2C00.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|title=AGM This Morning |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~317804,00.html |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=19 December 2002 |access-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008075323/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~317804%2C00.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}

Having guided Grimsby to a mid table finish in his first season, Russell Slade began the 2005–06 season with a good start to the season and much improved results and performances had seen Grimsby Town rise to the top of Football League Two. A good run in the League Cup saw Town beat Derby County away at Pride Park in round one, and defeat Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at home in the second round, with Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala hitting an 87th-minute winner.{{cite news |title=Grimsby 1–0 Tottenham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4258470.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2005 |access-date=29 August 2012 |archive-date=28 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128143806/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4258470.stm |url-status=live }} The Mariners eventually suffered elimination by Newcastle United in the third round, losing 1–0 at home. Grimsby would fall out of the promotion places on the final day of the season and after defeating Lincoln City in the play-off semi-finals they would lose 1–0 to Cheltenham Town in the final at the Millennium Stadium.{{cite news |last=Anstead |first=Mike |title=Coca-Cola League Two play-off final: Grimsby Town 0–1 Cheltenham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/29/newsstory.grimsby |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=29 May 2006 |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=12 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312021126/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/29/newsstory.grimsby |url-status=live }} On 31 May, manager Russell Slade left the club after failing to agree terms on a new contract.{{cite news |title=Manager Slade leaves Grimsby post |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/5034094.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2006 |access-date=30 August 2012}}

Slade's Assistant Graham Rodger was his replacement but by November he had been dismissed following a poor start to the season, he was replaced by Alan Buckley who arrived back with The Mariners for a third time but could only produce a bottom half finish in League Two. During the 2007–08 season the club enjoyed a good run in the Football League Trophy and on 4 March 2008 Grimsby booked their place at the new Wembley Stadium after beating Morecambe in a two-legged Northern Final. A Paul Bolland goal in the away first leg was enough to see Town through. They went on to play MK Dons in the Final on 30 March, losing 2–0 after Danny Boshell missed an early penalty.{{cite news |last=Mitchener |first=Mark |title=Grimsby 0–2 MK Dons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7309420.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2008 |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403011211/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7309420.stm |url-status=live }} The season ended with eight straight defeats. After a 13–game winless streak in the league stretching from 22 March 2008, on 15 September 2008 Alan Buckley was sacked as manager for a second time.{{cite news |title=Grimsby dismiss manager Buckley |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7616440.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2008 |access-date=4 May 2010 |archive-date=18 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918082615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7616440.stm |url-status=live }} The board appointed Mike Newell as manager.{{cite news |title=Newell takes over as Grimsby boss |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7654352.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=6 October 2008 |access-date=28 October 2008 |archive-date=9 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009044350/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7654352.stm |url-status=live }} The Mariners would finish 22nd in League Two narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day.

Following another slow start to the season, and despite previous backings from the Grimsby Town board, on 18 October 2009 the club's official website declared they had sacked Mike Newell due to "irretrievable breakdown".{{cite news|title=Town Part Company with Newell |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~1830001,00.html |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=19 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603132149/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~1830001%2C00.html |archive-date=3 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=Newell sacked as Grimsby manager |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/8313558.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=29 August 2012}} Neil Woods was controversially made permanent manager on 23 November 2009.{{cite news |title=Woods named new Grimsby manager |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/8372158.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2009 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125125156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/8372158.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Neil Woods appointed Grimsby Town boss |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/New-town-manager-unveiled/story-11548069-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505125447/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/New-town-manager-unveiled/story-11548069-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=23 November 2009 |access-date=28 August 2012 }} The other main candidate for the job was former boss Russell Slade, but the board decided upon Woods ahead of Slade. Almost immediately Woods was dealt a blow when the club decided to do a U-turn and sell captain Ryan Bennett to Peterborough United for £500,000 despite rejecting this offer in the summer and the player only recently signing a new four-year deal. Grimsby under Woods struggled and despite winning four and drawing one of their last six games to give them a chance of league survival going into the last game of the season, they were defeated 3–0 by Burton Albion,{{cite news |title=Burton 3–0 Grimsby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8632870.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=29 August 2012 |archive-date=11 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511160405/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8632870.stm |url-status=live }} and thus were relegated from the Football League for the first time in nearly 100 years.{{cite news |last=Lutz |first=Tom |title=League Two: Grimsby Town relegated after Burton defeat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/08/grimsby-town-relegated-league-two |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=15 February 2015 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140547/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/08/grimsby-town-relegated-league-two |url-status=live }}

Neil Woods was relieved of his duties on 24 February 2011 after 15 months in charge,{{cite news |title=Grimsby Town part with manager Neil Woods |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/9405815.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=29 August 2012}} leaving the club in 9th position in the Conference National. On 23 March 2011, former Boston United managerial duo of Rob Scott and Paul Hurst were announced as the new joint managers.{{cite news |title=Grimsby Town appoint Rob Scott and Paul Hurst |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/12817450 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=23 August 2012}} They finished the 2010–11 season in 11th on 62 points.{{cite web |title=Wimbledon 2–1 Grimsby |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/30/england/conference-national/afc-wimbledon/grimsby-town-fc/961177/ |work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 June 2016 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114150235/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/30/england/conference-national/afc-wimbledon/grimsby-town-fc/961177/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 2010–2011: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/2010-2011/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717202935/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/2010-2011/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} On 19 September 2011, John Fenty resigned as chairman of Grimsby Town with immediate effect, a position he had held for 7 years.{{cite news |title=John Fenty resigns as Grimsby Town chairman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14979772 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=22 June 2015}}{{cite web|title=Grimsby Town Football Club Statement |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2456000,00.html |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126024449/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~2456000%2C00.html |archive-date=26 November 2011 |access-date=2 July 2016 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}

Following an 11th-place finish in 2012, the Mariners enjoyed a positive cup run in the 2012–13 season FA Trophy and reached the final at Wembley Stadium where they played Wrexham on 24 March 2013. Grimsby went ahead in the second half with 20 minutes left to go, through an Andy Cook strike. However, they conceded a penalty with 9 minutes left and Wrexham equalised. This took the game to extra time, and then penalties, where Grimsby lost the shoot-out 4–1. Grimsby finished the season in good form, with a 9-match unbeaten run, finishing the season with a 3–0 win against Newport County.{{cite news |title=Grimsby 3–0 Newport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22133183 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2013 |access-date=4 June 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219033421/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22133183 |url-status=live }} This led them to finish in 4th place with 83 points.{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town 2012–2013: Table: Final Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/2012-2013/table |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717203431/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/2012-2013/table |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} They faced Newport County again straight away in the play-off semi-finals, where they were knocked out by a 1–0 loss in both legs. The managerial duo was broken up on 6 September 2013 due to Rob Scott being suspended and Paul Hurst was placed in sole charge of the team.{{cite news |title=Paul Hurst takes sole charge as Rob Scott departs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23987594 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2013 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=9 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909024144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23987594 |url-status=live }}

Grimsby came third in the Conference Premier 2014–15 season, and secured a play-off spot.{{cite news |title=Grimsby 3–1 Aldershot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32363238 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2015 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123045141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32363238 |url-status=live }} Grimsby reached the 2015 Conference Premier play-off final against Bristol Rovers in front of a Conference record 47,029 crowd at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Lyall |title=Bristol Rovers 1–1 Grimsby: Rovers back in Football League after shoot-out win |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/bristol-r-vs-grimsby/report/336763 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630063116/http://www.skysports.com/football/bristol-r-vs-grimsby/report/336763 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Ashdown |first=John |title=Bristol Rovers promoted to League Two after beating Grimsby on penalties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/17/bristol-rovers-grimsby-town-vanarama-play-off-final-match-report |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=25 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825233540/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/17/bristol-rovers-grimsby-town-vanarama-play-off-final-match-report |url-status=live }} The game was forced to penalties where Jon-Paul Pittman missed the penultimate penalty in their 5–3 shootout.{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers 1–1 Grimsby |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32679757 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518053854/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32679757 |url-status=live }}

Grimsby would play in the final of the FA Trophy,{{cite news |title=FA Trophy: Halifax to face Grimsby Town in Wembley final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35852581 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322234202/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35852581 |url-status=live }} but lost 1–0 to FC Halifax Town.{{cite news |last=Sweet |first=Geoff |title=FC Halifax 1–0 Grimsby |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/competitions/fa-trophy/2016/may/fa-trophy-final-2016-match-report |publisher=The Football Association |date=22 May 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016}} The week before, Grimsby Town beat Forest Green Rovers 3–1 in the 2016 National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium, seeing Grimsby promoted back to League Two after a six-year absence from the Football League.{{cite news |title=Bogle scores twice as Grimsby beat Forest Green in National League play-off final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/15/grimsby-omar-bogle-forest-green-playoff-final |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 May 2016 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811090716/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/15/grimsby-omar-bogle-forest-green-playoff-final |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Garry |first1=Tom |title=Forest Green 1–3 Grimsby |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36244418 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002172034/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36244418 |url-status=live }}

After promotion, manager, Paul Hurst, released a number of players, many of whom were pivotal to the previous season's promotion push.{{cite news |title=Retained List Announced |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/retained-list-announced-3124575.aspx |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=24 May 2016 |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611134530/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/retained-list-announced-3124575.aspx |url-status=usurped }} On 24 October 2016, Paul Hurst was appointed as Shrewsbury Town manager, Chris Doig also left Grimsby and made Hurst's assistant at Shrewsbury, thus leaving Dave Moore and Stuart Watkiss as caretaker managers.{{cite news |title=Paul Hurst leaves Grimsby to become the new manager at Shrewsbury Town |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/paul-hurst-leaves-grimsby-new-manager-shrewsbury |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 October 2016 |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030082341/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/paul-hurst-leaves-grimsby-new-manager-shrewsbury |url-status=live }} On 7 November 2016, Marcus Bignot, then manager of non-League side, Solihull Moors, was officially announced as the new Grimsby Town manager, along with the appointment of Micky Moore as his assistant.{{cite news |title=Marcus Bignot: Grimsby Town appoint Solihull Moors boss as manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37862698 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-date=10 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110184539/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37862698 |url-status=live }} On 10 April 2017, Marcus Bignot was sacked.{{cite news |title=Marcus Bignot: Grimsby Town sack manager after five months in job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39555828 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=10 April 2017 |archive-date=10 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410162837/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39555828 |url-status=live }} His replacement was Russell Slade, who joined the club for the second time as manager on 12 April 2017.{{cite news |title=Russell Slade: Grimsby Town appoint manager for second time |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39566767 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 April 2017 |archive-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414210207/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39566767 |url-status=live }} The Mariners would finish 14th, with a total of 62 points.{{cite news |title=League Two Table |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two/table |work=BBC Sport |access-date=23 May 2017 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506191822/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two/table |url-status=live }}

Slade was sacked on 11 February 2018 after the team failed to win in 12 league games, with eight losses; he left the team 17th in League Two.{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Treadwell |title=Grimsby Town part company with manager Russell Slade |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11769/11246542/grimsby-town-part-company-with-manager-russell-slade |publisher=Sky Sports |date=11 February 2018 |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211174444/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11769/11246542/grimsby-town-part-company-with-manager-russell-slade |url-status=live }} Paul Wilkinson took over as caretaker manager following the sacking. Michael Jolley was appointed as the new manager on 2 March 2018 and twice secured Grimsby's Football League status as well as securing cup runs that culminated in an FA Cup tie away at Crystal Palace and a League Cup tie at Chelsea. Jolley left the club by mutual agreement and was replaced on a temporary basis by assistant manager Anthony Limbrick.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50434574|title=Michael Jolley: Grimsby Town part company with manager|date=15 November 2019|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=15 November 2019|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115133943/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50434574|url-status=live}}

On 29 December 2019, Ian Holloway joined Grimsby Town as manager, at the same time becoming a shareholder in the club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/31/i-feel-like-a-kid-in-a-sweet-shop-ian-holloway-appointed-grimsby-manager|title='I feel like a kid in a sweet shop': Ian Holloway appointed Grimsby manager|date=31 December 2019|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 September 2021|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620083041/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/31/i-feel-like-a-kid-in-a-sweet-shop-ian-holloway-appointed-grimsby-manager|url-status=live}} On 23 December 2020, just under one year later, Holloway left the club abruptly in controversial circumstances, announcing on Twitter that he was resigning with immediate effect. His decision was down to several boardroom issues, a big loss in form and his unwillingness to work with a consortium looking to buy out John Fenty.{{Cite tweet |author=Ian Holloway |user=IanOllie7 |number=1169184549756125185 |title=To all the fans, it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my resignation}} Ben Davies was caretaker manager for two games.{{Cite news |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ben-davies-grimsby-morecambe-reaction-4834318 |title=Ben Davies reflects on 'tough week' after Grimsby Town fall to 3–1 defeat at Morecambe |date=26 December 2020 |work=GrimsbyLive |publisher=Grimsby Telegraph |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123080614/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ben-davies-grimsby-morecambe-reaction-4834318 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/ben-davies-laments-lack-of-quality-as-grimsby-draw-with-oldham/ |title=Ben Davies laments lack of quality as Grimsby draw with Oldham |date=29 December 2020 |publisher = Evening Express |access-date=18 January 2021}}

On 30 December 2020, Paul Hurst was re-appointed as permanent manager,{{cite web|url=https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/hurst-appointed-first-team-manager/|title=Hurst Appointed First Team Manager|publisher=Grimsby Town F.C.|date=30 December 2020|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118154520/https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/hurst-appointed-first-team-manager/|url-status=usurped}} but could not prevent the club from being relegated back to the National League following a 3–2 defeat to Exeter City, after a five-year stay in the Football League.{{Cite news|date=2021-04-27|title=Grimsby Town have been relegated from the EFL|language=en-GB|work=GrimsbyLive|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-relegated-league-two-5337306|access-date=2021-05-30|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215255/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-relegated-league-two-5337306|url-status=live}}

{{football squad on pitch|align=right

| GK_nat = New Zealand | GK = Crocombe

| RB_nat = England | RB = Cropper

| RCB_nat = England | RCB = Waterfall

| LCB_nat = England | LCB = Smith

| LB_nat = England | LB = Amos

| RM_nat = Portugal | RM = Sousa

| RCM_nat = England | RCM = Fox

| LCM_nat = Ireland | LCM = Holohan

| LM_nat = Wales | LM = Clifton

| RCF_nat = England | RCF = McAtee

| LCF_nat = England | LCF = Taylor

| caption =

}}

On 5 May 2021, local businessmen Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit under their company 1878 Partners completed their takeover of the football club after buying out majority shareholder John Fenty.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-takeover-complete-stockwood-5062872|title=Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit complete Grimsby Town takeover|newspaper=Grimsbylive|date=5 May 2021|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk|access-date=10 May 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510120608/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-takeover-complete-stockwood-5062872|url-status=live}}

In the 2021–22 season, Grimsby finished 6th in the National League.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2021 |title=2021/22 season |website=Sky Sports |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928114445/https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2021 |url-status=live }} They defeated Notts County in the quarter-final of the play-offs, and Wrexham in the semi-final 5–4.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61461054 |title=Grimsby beat Notts County in dramatic play-off tie |website=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109155822/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61461054 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61560268 |title=Grimsby end Wrexham's play-off dreams in thriller |author=Aled Williams |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231130833/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61560268 |url-status=live }} In the 2022 National League play-off final, they defeated Solihull Moors 2–1 after extra time to win promotion back to League Two at the London Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61628696 |title=Solihull Moors 1–2 Grimsby Town (AET) - Jordan Maguire-Drew winner sends Mariners back to EFL |author=Chris Peddy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2022 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109154317/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61628696 |url-status=live }}

On 1 March 2023, Grimsby advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1939 by beating Premier League side Southampton 2–1 away from home, becoming the first club in the competition's history to knock out five teams from a higher division.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64799742|title=Southampton 1 Grimsby Town 2|date=1 March 2023|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2 March 2023|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301212104/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64799742|url-status=live}}

{{Football kit box

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| title = Grimsby Town's traditional home kit

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The original 1878 kit of Grimsby Pelham, featured a shirt with narrow horizontal stripes in royal blue and white, with long white shorts and black socks. Between 1884 and 1910, various kit colours were introduced, with the most common colours being variations of pale blue and chocolate brown, worn with white shorts and black socks. Other kits from this period include:

• 1897–1898 – Plain white shirt, with royal blue shorts and socks
• 1904–1906 – Pale red shirt, with black shorts and socks
• 1906–1908 – White shirt with red collar and cuffs, red shorts, black socks with red bands

Black and white vertical stripes were adopted in 1910 and with a few exceptions, they have rarely been missing from the kit design ever since and have become one of the most recognisable features of the club. The 1911 kit included the black and white striped t-shirt, white shorts and black socks. Exceptions from the traditional bar-stripe kit:

• 1935–1936 – Plain white shirt featuring the coat of arms of the County Borough of Great Grimsby, black shorts and red socks
• 1958–1959 – White shirt with black pin stripes, black shorts, red socks
• 1960–1962 – White shirt with black collar and cuffs, red shorts, red socks
• 1963–1966 – White shirt with black pin stripes, black shorts with white stripe, white socks with black bands
• 2006–2007 – Black and white halves, black shorts, black socks

Since the introduction of the black and white bar stripes in 1910, the GTFC kits have featured exclusively red, black and white. The only exceptions to this are the corporate colours used in a sponsor logo and the yellow/gold trim used between 2001 and 2003. The official GTFC club logo first appeared on the club kit in 1974.

Grimsby Town announced for their game on 26 February 2023, that they would wear a special one-off shirt that promotes green energy, with the sponsor being labelled "Europe's Green Town" in nod towards the "Food Town" sponsorship of the 1990s.{{cite web | url=https://gtfc.co.uk/the-mariners-myenergi-launch-green-town/ | title=The Mariners & myenergi launch 'Green Town' - Grimsby Town Football Club | date=24 April 2023 }}

{{clear}}

{{Main|Blundell Park}}

File:Blundell Park West Stand.JPG Stand (formerly the Carlsberg Stand)]]Grimsby Town play their home games at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes. This is the club's fourth stadium. They originally played at Clee Park until 1879, they then moved to Lovett Street for a single season, before returning to Clee Park for a further nine years. The Mariners then moved to Abbey Park until 1899 before a move to Blundell Park, the club's current stadium.

In 1953 the club introduced its first floodlights to the ground and with that enabling Grimsby Town to play night-time fixtures.{{cite news |title=Pitching in photo ideas! |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pitching-photo-ideas/story-18729000-detail/story.html#1 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=3 July 2016 }} {{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Tall floodlights were purchased second hand from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1958 and installed in 1960 at a cost of £9,000 which was raised by the supporters club, they have illuminated matches ever since when required. However, in 2019, these original lights were replaced with newer, brighter lights. Three of the four original pylons remain.{{cite news |title=Let There Be Light |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/let-there-be-light-2689220.aspx |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=8 September 2015 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804071020/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/let-there-be-light-2689220.aspx |url-status=usurped }} The stadium has had an all-seated capacity of just 8,777 in recent years, being in and around 27,000 before the stadium was made all seated in 1995. The club's demise from the second tier of English football, down to the fourth meant the expansion seating was removed. This brought the overall capacity down from around 12,000 to what it is today. Situated inside the Findus Stand at Blundell Park, is "McMenemy's Function Suite", named after former manager Lawrie McMenemy.

Since the late 1990s, there have been plans for a new 20,200-seat stadium at nearby Great Coates – tentatively titled the Conoco Stadium after a naming rights deal with the American energy corporation ConocoPhillips.{{cite web |title=Conoco Stadium Official Website |url=http://www.gtfcnewstadium.co.uk/ |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=4 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516135553/http://www.gtfcnewstadium.co.uk/ |archive-date=16 May 2008 |access-date=9 July 2016}} There have been numerous delays to the development of the new stadium. The plans have been met with resistance from many residents of the local area surrounding the proposed stadium site, but other factors have also slowed progress. One of the most notable difficulties for the club was in demonstrating how it planned to finance the scheme. As a result, they later amended their proposal to include a retail park on the site, which would help to fund the development. This raised other problems, due to a rival proposal by the property developer Henry Boot, who are continuing with plans for their own retail park, which will be in direct competition with the Grimsby Town site and which has also been approved by the local council. Henry Boot attempted to have the football team's development plan stopped, by asking for it to be sent for judicial review by the Government, however their attempt failed. Currently, the Grimsby Town stadium development proposal has satisfied all the conditions that were imposed by planning officials and consent for the project has been granted. Initial estimates had suggested that the club would be able to move to the new stadium for the start of the 2011–12 season. However, as a result of the ongoing global recession, the club has halted all progress on the new development and it is unlikely that any work will begin until an upturn in the economy.

As of the 2012–13 season, the GTFC Supporters Trust known as the 'Mariners Trust' has taken over responsibility for the operation of most of the bars at the stadium, which hopefully will lead to refurbishment, and new ideas from fans as to how the bars operate.

Plans were underway to relocate the club to land at the side of the Peaks Parkway in Grimsby.{{cite news|title=Retail store included in new Grimsby Town stadium plans |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Retail-store-included-new-Grimsby-Town-stadium/story-16553867-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721020007/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Retail-store-included-new-Grimsby-Town-stadium/story-16553867-detail/story.html |archive-date=21 July 2012 }} As of 2020, new plans have been agreed with the council, Grimsby Town FC and The Freemen of Grimsby to build the stadium on recently cleared land off Freeman Street.

{{Main|Humber derby|Lincolnshire derby}}

Grimsby Town's geographical region pits them against three main professional rivals, two of which like Grimsby are from the former county of Humberside. Hull City, on the north bank of the Humber Estuary have traditionally been viewed as Grimsby's main rival but a contrast in their recent fortunes has meant that the two clubs have not met in the League since 1987, prior to a 2020 EFL Trophy victory for Hull the clubs had last met in 1997 when The Mariners won 1–0 in the same competition. The closest football club to Grimsby are Scunthorpe United, The Iron are mainly regarded as Town's biggest rival although historically Scunthorpe have played most of their football in divisions below The Mariners. In the mid-2000s Grimsby's fall from the second tier to the fourth was followed closely with Scunthorpe earning several promotions, with the 2004–05 season being the only campaign both sides met in the same division before being reunited once more in 2019. Games involving any of the former Humberside clubs are known as the Humber derby.

In more recent times games against Lincoln City (a Lincolnshire derby) has been Grimsby's primary derby game, although historically Lincoln are another local side who have predominantly spent a lot of time in lower divisions to the ones Grimsby have regularly featured in, Town's relegation to League Two in 2004 renewed this rivalry with notable games being the play-off semi-final in 2006 in which Grimsby ran out 3–1 winners on aggregate. In a contrast to Mariners fans regarding Scunthorpe as their main rival, supporters of Lincoln City would regard Grimsby as theirs. A slight rivalry with Sheffield Wednesday intensified between 2000 and 2004, with the two clubs competing with each other in relegation battles over four seasons in both the First and Second Division but the clubs have not met since this period. Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Boston United are three other examples of clubs who have shared some kind of rivalry with Grimsby in past seasons, whilst they were in the second and fourth tiers respectively. There are two other clubs within the Borough of Grimsby who are on the football ladder, Grimsby Borough and Cleethorpes Town, coupled with other non-League sides in Lincolnshire such as Gainsborough Trinity, games with these clubs only form pre-season friendlies or fixtures in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.

The Mighty Mariner is Grimsby Town's mascot. He wears the club's home strip and normally parades in front of the Pontoon Stand as well as tormenting the opposition's fans. He also plays football with the mascots and warms up the Grimsby Town fans.{{cite news |title=Mighty Mariner nets his perfect match |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/mighty-mariner-nets-perfect-match/story-13110551-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=24 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724223508/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/mighty-mariner-nets-perfect-match/story-13110551-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 July 2016 |df=dmy-all }} Up until 1998, there were two club mascots, Mighty and Mini Mariner, and until then they used to wear yellow fishing rain coats, before Mini was dropped, and Mighty was given the home strip to wear. Formerly, the mascot was a character named "Harry Haddock", so-called after Grimsby's fishing industry, who is actually a rainbow trout.

The newly rebranded Mariners Trust{{cite web |title=home |url=http://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/ |publisher=Mariners Trust |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418214207/https://www.marinerstrust.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} has been working with the fans and the club on a number of projects and events with the aim of improving the match day experience for the fans. It has a new Junior Mariners section, works with similar GTFC-friendly organisations like the internet mariners and the PPAG and is run by volunteers of 400+ members and continues to encourage GTFC fans to join and get involved. Since the late 1990s Grimsby Town have had a Scandinavian supporters group based in Norway and Sweden.{{cite web |title=grimsbynorge.com |url=http://grimsbynorge.com/ |publisher=grimsbynorge.com |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311223216/http://grimsbynorge.com/ |url-status=live }} Mariners fans since 2006 have also had a friendship with the supporters of Belgian club Eendracht Aalst.{{cite web |last=Heyvaert |first=Tom |title=Aalst's Day Out at Wembley |url=http://www.thefishy.co.uk/story.php?id=8502359 |website=Thefishy.co.uk |publisher=The Fishy |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108045435/http://www.thefishy.co.uk/story.php?id=8502359 |url-status=live }}

Actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen who is most widely known for creating and portraying the characters Ali G and Borat was spotted at Grimsby Town's home game against Cambridge United during the 2013–14 season. He watched The Mariners 1–0 defeat before talking to fans in the Blundell Hotel dressed in a Grimsby shirt and hat.{{cite news |author=NewsdeskGy |title=Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen watches Grimsby Town at Blundell Park |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Borat-star-spotted-Grimsby-Town-game/story-19903596-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=9 October 2013 |access-date=11 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213230529/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Borat-star-spotted-Grimsby-Town-game/story-19903596-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }} Cohen had been in the town to think of ideas for a new film and had also visited the town's fish docks. In December 2013 it was announced that Cohen would be appearing in a new film called Grimsby.{{cite news |title=Hollywood spotlight shines on Grimsby for Sacha Baron Cohen's new film |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Hollywood-spotlight-shines-Grimsby-Sacha-Baron/story-20264721-detail/story.html |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=11 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213230533/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Hollywood-spotlight-shines-Grimsby-Sacha-Baron/story-20264721-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }} Notable Mariners fans include Soccer AM presenter and comedian Lloyd Griffith, American actor and television presenter Adam Richman. Despite not being from Grimsby or England, the Man v. Food presenter said he is a supporter of the club, and was involved in a BBC Radio 5 Live phone-in before the 2013 FA Trophy final between Grimsby and Wrexham.{{cite news |title=BBC Radio 5 live – The Non League Football Show, 24/03/2013, Savage and Richman on Wrexham v Grimsby Town |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016rrkw |publisher=BBC |date=24 March 2013 |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=28 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328204411/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016rrkw |url-status=live }} In 2015 Richman contributed to a fan fundraiser "Operation Promotion" and in June 2020 became a club shareholder.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/man-vs-food-star-adam-4242973|title=Man Vs Food star Adam Richman buys Grimsby Town shares|newspaper=Grimsbylive|date=19 June 2020|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk|access-date=29 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629134426/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/man-vs-food-star-adam-4242973|url-status=live}}

Grimsby-born actor Thomas Turgoose, who starred as the lead role character Shaun Fields in the drama film This Is England and the TV follow-up's This Is England '86, This Is England '88 and This Is England '90, is a season ticket holder.{{cite news |title=Everyone Has A Place They Can Call Home |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/everyone-has-a-place-they-can-call-home-1611491.aspx |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=5 June 2014 |archive-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401064702/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/everyone-has-a-place-they-can-call-home-1611491.aspx |url-status=usurped }} He appeared as a guest on Sky show Soccer AM in 2007 sporting a Grimsby Town shirt.

Other famous fans include politician Norman Lamont, former professional snooker players Mike Hallett and Dean Reynolds, singer and songwriter Ella Henderson and BBC weather presenter Keeley Donovan.{{cite web |last=Lord |first=Richard |title=Keeley Donovan: Grimsby (Cleethorpes) born and proud |url=https://richmariner.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/keeley-donovan-grimsby-cleethorpes-born-and-proud/ |website=WordPress.com |publisher=Automattic Inc |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-date=13 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173609/https://richmariner.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/keeley-donovan-grimsby-cleethorpes-born-and-proud/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2019, it was announced that Grimsby Town would enter the world of female football with the launch of its first ever affiliated women's team with trials being held at the academy team's training base at Oasis Academy Wintringham.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-22 |title=Grimsby Town Women's Football Team To Launch in 2019-20 - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/grimsby-town-womens-football-team-to-launch-in-2019-20/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628101219/https://gtfc.co.uk/grimsby-town-womens-football-team-to-launch-in-2019-20/ |url-status=live }} The 2019/20 season saw the team venture into league football in the Lincolnshire Women's League, the then 7th tier of women's football with their first ever league fixture being against Appleby Frodingham Ladies{{Cite web |date=2019-09-06 |title=Dale Houlston On Grimsby Town Women's First Ever Match - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/dale-houlston-on-grimsby-town-womens-first-ever-match/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625162855/https://gtfc.co.uk/dale-houlston-on-grimsby-town-womens-first-ever-match/ |url-status=live }} led by newly appointed manager Dale Houlston.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-05 |title=Dale Houlston Becomes First Ever Grimsby Town Women's FC Manager - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/dale-houlston-becomes-first-ever-grimsby-town-womens-fc-manager/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627135133/https://gtfc.co.uk/dale-houlston-becomes-first-ever-grimsby-town-womens-fc-manager/ |url-status=live }}

In a season that was cut short in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grimsby Town Women remained undefeated.{{Cite news |date=2021-06-22 |title=Grimsby Town Women's team ready for long-awaited return |language=en-GB |work=GrimsbyLive |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-women-2021-season-5558656 |access-date=2023-04-06 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406232312/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-women-2021-season-5558656 |url-status=live }} They also reached the League Cup final and the Lincolnshire Women's County Cup final however none of those cup finals took place because of the pandemic.

During the summer of 2020, the FA announced that following a restructure to the leagues, Grimsby Town Women would be promoted to the 6th tier of the women's football pyramid, meaning that the team commenced the 2020–21 season in the East Midlands Women's Regional Football League, Division 1 North.{{Cite web |title=Grimsby Town Women {{!}} East Midlands Women's Regional Football League |url=http://www.everton.fawsl.com/displayTeam.html?divisionseason=827817668&teamID=980040125 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=www.everton.fawsl.com}} The 2020–21 season also saw Grimsby Town Women enter The FA Women's Cup for the very first time.

Grimsby Town Women commenced the 2021–22 season well and led the league. In November of this season, manager Dale Houlston resigned his position, having played 7 games, winning 6 and drawing just 1. Hayley Cox was named as the new manager. By the end of the season, they had managed to achieve second place in the league.

The 2022-23 season was just as successful for Grimsby Town Women as they secured the league title and promotion to the East Midland's Premier Division.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-18 |title=Join us at BP as the Women take to the field! - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/join-us-at-bp-as-the-women-take-to-the-field/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

After promotion, Grimsby Town Ladies played tougher opposition in the 2023-24 season and were relegated however they did pick up some silverware, winning the Marsh Sports County Plate in a 10-0 victory over HBW United Ladies.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=WOMEN'S TEAM REPORT {{!}} HBW United Ladies 0-10 Grimsby Town - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/womens-team-report-hbw-united-ladies-0-10-grimsby-town/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-29 |title=Women's Team {{!}} End of Season Wrap Up - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/womens-team-end-of-season-wrap-up/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}} On the conclusion of the season, the club parted company with manager Hayley Cox.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=Club Statement – Hayley Cox - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/club-statement-hayley-cox/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

On 23 August 2024, Ben Challen was appointed as the new Women's First Team Head Coach having taken charge on an interim basis in June.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=BEN CHALLEN APPOINTED AS WOMEN'S FIRST TEAM HEAD COACH - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/ben-challen-appointed-as-womens-first-team-head-coach/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

*Denotes player to be released on 30th June 2025

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no=1 |nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Jordan Wright}}

{{Fs player|no=3 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Matty Carson}}

{{fs player|no=4 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Kieran Green|other=vice-captain}}

{{fs player|no=5 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Harvey Rodgers}}

{{fs player|no=6 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Curtis Thompson}}*

{{Fs player|no=7 |nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=Jordan Davies |other=on loan from Wrexham}}

{{Fs player|no=8 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jayden Luker|other=on loan from Luton Town}}

{{Fs player|no=9 |nat=TRI|pos=FW|name=Justin Obikwu |other=on loan from Coventry City}}

{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Charles Vernam}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ISL|pos=MF|name=Jason Daði Svanþórsson}}

{{fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Jake Eastwood}}*

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Luca Barrington |other=on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion}}

{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Rekeil Pyke}}*

{{fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Callum Ainley}}*

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Cameron McJannet}}

{{fs mid}}

{{fs player|no=18|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=Darragh Burns}}

{{fs player|no=19|nat=FAR|pos=MF|name= Géza Dávid Turi}}

{{Fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=George McEachran}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Tyrell Warren}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Cameron Gardner}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Henry Brown}}

{{fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Doug Tharme}}

{{fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Donovan Wilson}}*

{{Fs player|no=26|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Callum Storr}}

{{Fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Charlie Clements}}

{{fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Evan Khouri}}

{{fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Danny Rose|other=captain}}

{{fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Denver Hume}}

{{Fs player|no=41|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Seb Auton}}

{{Fs player|no=44|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Harvey Cribb}}*

{{Fs end}}

{{updated|6 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Youth Team |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/youth-team/ |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |access-date=6 December 2024}}

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Seb Auton}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Hayden Rogers}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Finley Axcell}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jaxon Blankley}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Charlie Carrick}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Alex Graham}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Callum Storr}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Henry Brown}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jack Collins}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Alfie Foy}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Charlie Hatton}}

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{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Kian Hawley}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Mamudu Jalloh}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Fortune Onoh}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Harry Shipstone}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Charlie Clements}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Corey Foster}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Grayson Giles}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Carlo Midwinter}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Tom Rennardson}}

{{fs player|no=–|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Elliot Smith}}

{{fs end}}

{{Main article|List of Grimsby Town F.C. records and statistics#Player of the Year}}

{{See also|List of owners of English football clubs}}

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{{updated|14 May 2024}}{{cite book |first=Dave |last=Wherry |title=The Grimsby Town Story 1878 - 2008 |year=2008 |publisher=Yore Publications |location=Harefield |pages=118 |isbn=978-0-9557889-3-2}}

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{{notelist|refs=

{{efn|name=caretaker|Caretaker Manager}}

{{efn|name=player|Player Manager}}

}}

{{Further|List of Grimsby Town F.C. players|List of Grimsby Town F.C. records and statistics#Notable players}}

{{Main|List of Grimsby Town F.C. seasons}}

{{Main|List of Grimsby Town F.C. records and statistics#Club records}}

More clubs have lost their managers after meeting Grimsby Town than after playing any other club.{{cite news |first=John |last=Ashdown |title=Which club has put the most final nails in managerial coffins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/16/club-final-nails-managerial-coffins |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 February 2011 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-date=27 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927185800/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/16/club-final-nails-managerial-coffins |url-status=live }}

• Best FA Cup performance: Semi-finals, 1938–39
• Best League Cup performance: Quarter-finals, 1979–80 (replay)
• Best League Trophy performance: Champions, 1997–98
• Best FA Trophy performance: Runners-up, 2012–13, 2015–16

• Biggest League attendance: 26,605 vs. Stockport County, 11 April 1952
• Biggest FA Cup attendance: 31,651 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 20 February 1937
• Biggest League Cup attendance: 23,115 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 4 December 1979
• Biggest neutral venue attendance: 76,972 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 25 March 1939, FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, Manchester
• Smallest League attendance: 1,833 vs. Brentford, 3 May 1969
• Smallest cup attendance: 248 vs. Sunderland U23's, EFL Trophy, 8 November 2017
• Biggest League home win: 8–0 vs. Tranmere Rovers, 4 September 1925{{cite web |title=Grimsby Town – Records |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/records |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721145444/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/grimsby-town/records |archive-date=21 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
• Biggest cup defeat: 1–8 vs. Phoenix Bessemer, 25 November 1882It is unclear what the score was, but was likely to have been 8–1. Football: A Weekly Record of the Game (29 November 1882, p. 140), the Sheffield Daily Telegraph (27 November 1882, p. 7) and the Leeds Mercury (27 November 1882, p. 7) all record the score as 8–1; the Hull News (2 December 1882, p. 6) does not give a score, but implies that it was 8–1, as it records the half-time score as being 5–1; while the Sheffield Independent (27 November 1882, p. 4 and 2 December 1882, p. 12) records the score as 7–1, with the half-time score being 4-1, and the Derbyshire Times (2 December 1882, p. 6) just gives the score as being 7–1. It was not, however, 9–1, as often recorded.
• Biggest League defeat: 1–9 vs. Arsenal, 28 January 1931{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |title=Gunners' reserves sink Grimsby |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/28/match.sport4 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 November 2001 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418054954/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/28/match.sport4 |url-status=live }}
• Seasons spent at level 1 of the football league system: 12
• Seasons spent at level 2 of the football league system: 55
• Seasons spent at level 3 of the football league system: 28
• Seasons spent at level 4 of the football league system: 19
• Seasons spent at level 5 of the football league system: 7

• Most League goals in a season: 42, Pat Glover (1933–34)
• Most League goals in total: 180, Pat Glover (1930–1939)
• Most League appearances: 647, John McDermott (1987–2007)
• Most appearances (all competitions): 754, John McDermott (1987–2007)
• Most capped player while at club: 7 caps, Pat Glover for Wales
• Most capped player: 68 caps, Zhang Enhua for China
• Highest transfer fee paid: £550,000 to Preston North End for Lee Ashcroft, 11 August 1998
• Highest transfer fee received: £1.5 million rising to £2 million from Everton for John Oster, 1 August 1997
• Longest serving current player: Evan Khouri since July 2019
• Youngest player: Louis Boyd, 15 years and 324 days, vs. Harrogate Town on 8 September 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/grimsby-harrogate-efl-trophy-live-4496591|title=Highlights and reaction to a record-breaking night in the EFL Trophy|newspaper=Grimsbylive|date=8 September 2020|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929051827/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/grimsby-harrogate-efl-trophy-live-4496591|url-status=live}}
• Oldest player: Peter Beagrie, 40 years and 322 days, vs. Hartlepool United on 26 September 2006.{{cite news |title=Grimsby 1–4 Hartlepool |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/grimsby-vs-hartlepool/75829 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 September 2006 |access-date=30 May 2016 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630010340/http://www.skysports.com/football/grimsby-vs-hartlepool/75829 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of Grimsby Town F.C. records and statistics#Honours and achievements}}

League

• Second Division (level 2)
• Champions: 1898–99, 1933–34
• Runners-up: 1928–29
• Third Division North / Third Division / Second Division (level 3)
• Champions: 1925–26, 1955–56, 1979–80
• Runners-up: 1951–52, 1961–62
• Promoted: 1990–91
• Play-off winners: 1998
• Fourth Division (level 4)
• Champions: 1971–72
• Runners-up: 1978–79, 1989–90
• National League (level 5)
• Play-off winners: 2016, 2022
• Midland League
• Champions: 1910–11, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1946–47

Cup

• Football League Group Cup / Football League Trophy
• Winners: 1981–82, 1997–98
• Runners-up: 2007–08
• FA Trophy
• Runners-up: 2012–13, 2015–16
• Lincolnshire Senior Cup
• Winners (39): 1885–86, 1888–89, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1900–01, 1901–02, 1902–03, 1905–06, 1908–09, 1912–13, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1932–33, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15

• In April 2007, it was announced that Grimsby Town had struck a deal with Sky channel Propeller TV to show four 30-minute shows named GTTV. The show mainly focused on player and staff interviews and, match reviews. After the first four shows had aired, the project was eventually scrapped.{{cite web |title=Propeller TV Scores Again |url=http://www.citylocal.co.uk/Grimsby/news-in-Grimsby/propeller-tv-scores-again-4307/ |publisher=CityLocal |access-date=28 August 2012 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906065603/http://www.citylocal.co.uk/Grimsby/news-in-Grimsby/propeller-tv-scores-again-4307/ |url-status=dead }}
• In the 2001 film Mike Bassett: England Manager, Grimsby Town are mentioned as one of the teams Mike Bassett played for during his playing career.
• In the 1995 football hooligan film ID, Grimsby are mentioned as one of the opponents of the fictional Shadwell Town.{{cite web |title=I.D. (1995) Movie Script |url=http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=i-d |publisher=Springfield! Springfield! |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518034218/http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=i-d |url-status=live }}
• Grimsby Town is the football club that Sacha Baron Cohen's character Nobby supports in the 2016 action comedy film Grimsby.{{cite news |last=Lister |first=David |title=There's nothing fishy about Grimsby |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/there-s-nothing-fishy-about-grimsby-9615694.html |work=The Independent |location=London |date=18 July 2014 |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014420/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/there-s-nothing-fishy-about-grimsby-9615694.html |url-status=live }}
• The club's 4–5 victory away at Wrexham in the National League play-off semi-final is the main feature of Season 1, Episode 18 of the documentary Welcome to Wrexham which follows the purchase of Wrexham by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The episode features a segment about the club and an interview with Grimsby chairman Jason Stockwood.{{Cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/welcome-to-wrexham-ryan-reynolds-premier-league-dream/blt45af354bfe4cc823 |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 October 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014090517/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/welcome-to-wrexham-ryan-reynolds-premier-league-dream/blt45af354bfe4cc823 |url-status=dead }}
• Grimsby were the subject of the documentary "All Town Aren't We" by local filmmaker Jack Spring. The documentary centred around the 2021 takeover and the 2021-22 promoting-winning campaign. The documentary was distributed onto and available to stream via Amazon Prime Video.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=ALL TOWN AREN'T WE NOW ON AMAZON PRIME - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/all-town-arent-we-now-on-amazon-prime/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=gtfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last1=Bell|first1=Pat|last2=Green|first2=Pete|year=2015|title=We are Town: Writing by Grimsby Fans 1970–2002|publisher=Mariners Trust|location=Grimsby|isbn=978-0-9934115-0-2}}
• {{cite book|last1=Briggs|first1=Rob|last2=Wherry|first2=Dave|year=2007|title=Mariner Men: Grimsby Town Who's Who 1892–2007|publisher=Yore Publications|location=Uxbridge|isbn=978-0-9552949-8-3}}
• {{cite book|last1=Buckley|first1=Alan|last2=Thundercliffe|first2=Paul|author-link1=Alan Buckley|year=2013|title=Alan Buckley: Pass and Move: My Story|publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd|location=Leicester|isbn=978-1-78306-140-2}}
• {{cite book|last=Ford|first=Geoff|year=1989|title=Grimsby Town Football Club: a pictorial history|publisher=Archive Publications|location=Runcord|isbn=0-948946-62-8}}
• {{cite book|last=Hadgraft|first=Rob|year=2010|title=Grimsby Town: through the trapdoor: the road to hell 2001–2010|publisher=Desert Island Books|location=Essex|isbn=978-1-905328-81-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Lamming|first=Douglas|year=1985|title=A who's who of Grimsby Town AFC 1890–1985|publisher=Hutton Press|location=Beverley|isbn=0-907033-34-2}}
• {{cite book|last1=Lincoln|first1=Bob|last2=Robinson|first2=Michael|year=2003|title=Reminiscences of Grimsby Town football club 1879–1912|publisher=Soccer Books Ltd|location=Cleethorpes|isbn=1-86223-082-X}}
• {{cite book|last1=Lord|first1=Richard|last2=Johnson|first2=Jack|year=2014|title=My favourite game: a collection of memories from Grimsby Town supporters|publisher=The Mariner Books|location=Cleethorpes}}
• {{cite book|last=Rake|first=Matthew|year=1999|title=1997/98: a season to remember|publisher=Gowers Elmes Publishing|location=London|isbn=0-9536431-0-7}}
• {{cite book|last=Wherry|first=Dave|year=2008|title=The Grimsby Town Story: 1878–2008|publisher=Yore Publications|location=Uxbridge|isbn=978-0-9557889-3-2}}

{{Commons category}}

;Official websites

• [https://gtfc.co.uk// Grimsby Town Football Club website]
• [http://www.mcmenemys.co.uk/ Official website for McMenemys Function Suite]

;News sites

• [http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/grimsbytown Grimsby Telegraph]
• {{BBC football info|BBClinkname=grimsby-town}}
• [http://www.skysports.com/grimsby-town Grimsby Town news] from Sky Sports
• [http://codalmighty.com/site/ca.php Cod Almighty]
• [http://www.thefishy.co.uk The Fishy]
• {{fchd |id=GRIMSBYT |name=Grimsby Town }}

;Supporters' trust

• [http://www.marinerstrust.co.uk The Mariners Trust; Grimsby Town FC supporters organisation]

{{Grimsby Town F.C.}}

{{EFL League Two}}

Category:Sport in Grimsby

Category:Borough of North East Lincolnshire

Category:Football clubs in Lincolnshire

Category:1878 establishments in England

Category:Football clubs in England

Category:National League (English football) clubs

Category:English Football League clubs

Category:EFL Trophy winners

Category:Association football clubs established in 1878