News

MATCH PREVIEW: Aldershot Town v Grimsby Town (H)

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

Grimsby Town, The Mariners, founded in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham

 

HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?

The Mariners were relegated from the Football League last season, after finishing 24th of 24 teams.

 

HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?

The two sides have not met competitively since April 2016, when Grimsby Town were last playing National League football. That game was an absolute cracker, with the Mariners winning by the odd goal in seven! They also won the game at Blundell Park, 4-1.

 

WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:

Paul Hurst, who is in his second spell as Grimsby Town manager, having guided the Mariners to promotion from the National League previously, back in 2016. A Left-Back in his playing days, Hurst was a one club man, making 438 appearances for Grimsby over 15 years. He began his management career with Ilkeston Town and then Boston United, prior to his first spell at Blundell Park. Having led the Mariners back to the EFL, Hurst moved on himself, to manage first Shrewsbury Town and then Ipswich Town. Following a brief spell at Scunthorpe United, Hurst returned to Blundell Park.

 

WHO’S DEPARTED?

Following their relegation from the Football League, Grimsby released thirteen players, whilst Mattie Pollock moved on to Watford for £250,000.

 

WHO’S STAYED?

10 players remain contracted at the club from last season, including; Goalkeeper James McKeown, Centre-Back Luke Waterfall, Midfielders Sean Scannell & Harry Clifton and forward Lenell John-Lewis.

 

WHO’S ARRIVED?

Hurst has freshened up his Mariners playing squad with 18 new faces this season. They include Keeper Max Crocombe, Right Back Michee Efete from Wealdstone, Left-Back Adam Crookes (Port Vale), Centre-Backs Shaun Pearson (Wrexham) & David Longe-King (Newport County), Winger Will Bapaga (season long loan from Coventry) and Strikers John McAtee (Scunthorpe United) & Ryan Taylor (Newport County). McAtee is the Mariners top scorer this season to date, with 6 goals, whilst Taylor has 5 himself.

 

ANY EX-SHOTS?

Yes. Winger Joel Grant played 30 matches for Aldershot Town in 2007-08, scoring 4 goals, before moving to Crewe Alexandra for a club record fee of £130,000. He has since gone on to make more than 350 career appearances.

 

WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?

Saturday’s referee is Gary Parsons with his assistants Matt Eva and David Harrison. The fourth official is Harry Scott.

 

HOW TO GET TICKETS:

Kick-off begins at 3pm for Mark Molesley’s team as we would like to remind both home and away supporters of our ticketing/match-day protocols HERE.

Our Ticket Office will be opening on the day of the game from 11am for home supporters who would like to purchase on the day of the game, (we advise fans planning on buying tickets on the day to arrive earlier). We further encourage supporters to pre-book their tickets via our upgraded Flowte ticket website HERE to avoid queues on the day.

With our Flowte ticket website, supporters can pick their exact seats and have their tickets emailed to them which can be scanned off a smart phone or printed off before the day of the game.

We will NOT be accepting payment at the turnstiles but for supporters who decide to attend closer to the game, they will be able to purchase their tickets via the Club Shop/Ticket Office in person through cash, card or contactless payment.

Following this, please use the scanners on the turnstiles to enter through to the ground once they’ve collected their ticket.

Turnstiles will open at 1:30pm as we encourage supporters to arrive at the ground before 2:30pm, as we will be completing our Remembrance Day ceremony pre-match.

We would also like to take the time to remind supporters of our new pricing structure going forward.

With updated Concession categories and in replacement of our Under 11s Go Free scheme, we have now introduced a new Family Ticket as shown in the full pricing list below:

  • Adult – £20
  • Concession (Disabled + Carer, Senior (over 65) – £16
  • Junior (17 & under) – £7
  • Family Ticket (2 Adults, up to 3 Juniors) – £45
  • Family Ticket (2 Concession, up to 3 Juniors) – £40

Away Supporters

• Tickets for away fans will not be available on the turnstiles on the day of the game, they must be purchased online or from the ticket office.

• All Grimsby Town Supporters will enter the ground via the Redan Hill entrance. This game is segregated.

• Disabled/Carers should be booked in advance via our ticket office, but if they arrive on the day those people need to purchase their ticket from the ticket office. We have limited wheelchair spaces, so we advise supporters are advised to reserve them prior to the game.

• Any planned Supporter Coach travel needs to be advised to Aldershot Town in advance so that coach parking can be organised and planned.

• For this fixture, away supporters will be seated in the Away Seating in the South Stand and the Covered Terrace.

• There will be catering units available on the day of the game.

• We would also like to welcome away supporters into our hospitality lounges too. Please click HERE for more information or contact Commercial Manager Mark Butler at mark.butler@theshots.co.uk.

 

WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:

There will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and a Guest Summariser. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the evening