The Greatest Grimsby Town team of all time!

I know we have always had debates on who would be in our all time Grimsby Town side, who was the best midfielder? keeper? etc etc but I had an idea that would settle this for good. I know where other clubs are concerned sometimes the local paper runs a poll amongst fans to find out the ultimate overall greatest 11 players, being 1 keeper, a right back, left back, two centre backs, right midfield, left midfield, two central midfielders and two forwards.

Perhaps The Fishy could run poll's on each respected positions and we could see who our fanbase favours overall? Then this would could go down as our official decision?

What do the rest of you think ?

Here's my favourite XI. I've been going about 26/27 years and I'm 35 so I can only base my eleven on what I have seen. I've only included permanent player, not loans and a standard 4-4-2:

1. Aidan Davison (gk) - just pips Danny Coyne, mainly due to about 300 clean sheets in the famous 97/98 season.
2. John Mcdermott (rb) - no other right back comes anywhere near. When he was in his prime, he was a top Championship rightback. Perhaps he was too loyal.
3. Garry Croft - (lb) Wins by default to be honest!
4. Paul Futcher - (cb) The greatest player I have ever seen play for Grimsby, my hero.
5. Mark Lever - (cb) Okay, not the most talented but he would put his head where most wouldn't put their feet.
6. Shaun Cunnington (cm) - box to box player who used to drive us on.
7. Gary Childs - (rm) just beats Kevin Donovan. Tricky, good footballer, lacked a bit of balderdash but that's why he was out wide I suppose
8. Dave Gilbert - (lm) Magic left foot, great vision and good technique
9. Neil Woods - (fwd) Lacked pace, great awareness and a great touch. If he had any pace he would not have played for Grimsby.
10. Clive Mendonca (fwd) - Awesome finisher, top Championship standard striker who struggled with injuries.
11. Paul Groves (cm) - Magnificent box to box midfielder who was good for 12-15 goals a season. Very rarely injured (if ever).

There you go, that team would push for promotion to the Premier league in my opinion.

The best Town team of all time finished 5th in what is now the Premiership, next.

Quoted from Marinerz93

The best Town team of all time finished 5th in what is now the Premiership, next.

Couldn't agree more. Build the team around Bestall and Pat Glover...

well im 16 tomorrow and this is based on what ive seen, ps i have seen loads of season reviews.

danny coyne- it would be steve mildenhall but coyne played at the first divison which is the championship now and mildenhall played in league 2

john mcdermott- not fast but consisten and i can remember his great goal against rushden and diamonds

rob jones people- may see he wasnt all that great but he did cost hibs some cash

ryan bennett -same reason as rob jones

tony gallimore- not fast but consistent in his position and if he was bad he wouldnt have played all the game what he did play

kevin donavan- ive seen him in videos and hes great

paul bolland- this ginger nut is better than disley and he always wanted to get stuck ina nd he did do with great affect

paul groves- great leader, okay not a great manager but he did very well and he was a real threat in the air from corners and free kicks

steve livingstone- i could play this guy in centre back if i wanted too but he did a great job and always got stuck in and scoring 43 goals for town when he plaed in centre back a lot of times just proves how prolific he was when he played up front for us.

michael reddy- i can remember when he walked it in the net against torquay, a little unlucky with injuries but did very well and his goalscoring record proves that

Quoted from aaron rattray

well im 16 tomorrow and this is based on what ive seen, ps i have seen loads of season reviews.

danny coyne- it would be steve mildenhall but coyne played at the first divison which is the championship now and mildenhall played in league 2

john mcdermott- not fast but consisten and i can remember his great goal against rushden and diamonds

rob jones people- may see he wasnt all that great but he did cost hibs some cash

ryan bennett -same reason as rob jones

tony gallimore- not fast but consistent in his position and if he was bad he wouldnt have played all the game what he did play

kevin donavan- ive seen him in videos and hes great

paul bolland- this ginger nut is better than disley and he always wanted to get stuck ina nd he did do with great affect

paul groves- great leader, okay not a great manager but he did very well and he was a real threat in the air from corners and free kicks

steve livingstone- i could play this guy in centre back if i wanted too but he did a great job and always got stuck in and scoring 43 goals for town when he plaed in centre back a lot of times just proves how prolific he was when he played up front for us.

michael reddy- i can remember when he walked it in the net against torquay, a little unlucky with injuries but did very well and his goalscoring record proves that

Only 10 players, u missed a left mid out.

excrement rob eagle then, i know he was excrement but i couldnt think of anymore

I feel sorry for u Aaron,  if that is the best team you have seen, but then again given your tender years it probably is.

Batch
McDermott, Moore K, Futcher Cummings
Ford, Waters, Groves Gilbert
Drinkell, Mendonca

Wainman
McDermott
Nichol
K. Moore
Cumming
Donovan
Chatterley
Waters
Brolly
Whymark
Drinkell

Quoted from 75

10. Clive Mendonca (fwd) - Awesome finisher, top Championship standard striker who struggled with injuries.

only going on what Ive seen(admittedly cant get to BP as much as I would like) but for me probably the best player Ive seen in a town shirt  

quality

Can't believe no one has included Ivano Bonetti or Trevor Wymark yet.  Two of the highest quality players to pull on the shirt in the 40 odd years I have been watching.

apologies to Godhelpus, just spotted your list.

coyne
macca futch* tillson croft
childs groves cunnington gilbert
mendonca woods

*snr

Here you go from players I have seen......

Beasant

MacDermott
Futcher
K Moore
Croft

Bonetti
Waters
Cunnington
Oster

Whymark
Drinkell

Subs:-
Batch
Wilkinson
Birtles
Nicol
Ford
Mendonca


What a side that would be, packed with premier leaugue standard players. Would comfortable hold it's own in the championship.

Happy birthday for tomorrow Aaron from the United States,I dont mean you're from the United States lol

Beasant wasn't a Town player, he was on loan.

Batch

McDermott
Moore K
Futcher P
Cumming

Ford
Waters
Groves
Bonetti

Drinkell
Mendonca

Subs.

Coyne
Nicholl
Cunnington
Peake A
Whymark

very close to Laughing Mariners team

Quoted from American Mariner

Happy birthday for tomorrow Aaron from the United States,I dont mean you're from the United States lol

haha thanks

From the players I've seen at BP

GK Charlie Wright - absolutely the best shot stopper ever

RB Don Donovan - Eire international
CH Kevin Moore - intelligent defender
CH Keith Jobling - reliable
LB Paul Agnew - underrated defender

CM Andy Peake - class
CM Paul Groves - power

RW Johnny Scott - brilliant crosser
CF Ron Rafferty - natural choice
CF Trevor Wymark - superb football brain
LW Jimmy Fell - brilliant crosser



subs

Nigel Batch
Paul Futcher
Matt Tees
Kevin Drinkell
Doug Collins
Dave Boylen
Ron Cockerill

I preferred Gilbert over Bonetti as Bonetti wasn't here long enough. And I didn't like the way he wanted money to play for Macca's testimonial. Gilbert was quality and consistent so gets my nod.

Quoted from 75

I preferred Gilbert over Bonetti as Bonetti wasn't here long enough. And I didn't like the way he wanted money to play for Macca's testimonial. Gilbert was quality and consistent so gets my nod.

That is true Vicar Bonetti was a money grabbing person who when his mate came to ask for a appearance in Macca`s Testimonial he came out with a huge demand for money.

The reason I know that is because I helped Macca with his benefit game, even suggested that Macca to get hold of Bonetti could not believe what he was asking for disgraceful indeed.
NEWFOOTBALLER

1. Coyne 2. Mcdermott 3. Croft 4. Groves 5. Futcher 6.Todd 7.Childs 8.Cunnington 9.Mendonca 10.Wilkinson 11.Gilbert.

Quoted from newfootballer

[/b]

That is true Vicar Bonetti was a money grabbing person who when his mate came to ask for a appearance in Macca`s Testimonial he came out with a huge demand for money.

The reason I know that is because I helped Macca with his benefit game, even suggested that Macca to get hold of Bonetti could not believe what he was asking for disgraceful indeed.
NEWFOOTBALLER

Is it a cultural thing Dave? Is that how they carry on in Serie A? Or is he just a member who can't duck out of the way of plates / chicken?

Quoted from 75

And I didn't like the way he wanted money to play for Macca's testimonial.

I didn't know about that. On the other hand though, didn't he pay half of the £100,000 appearance fee (or whatever it was) himself, to come and play for us?

Quoted from GodHelpUs

Wainman
McDermott
Nichol
K. Moore
Cumming
Donovan
Chatterley
Waters
Brolly
Whymark
Drinkell

That's more like it!

Quoted from wigworld

I didn't know about that. On the other hand though, didn't he pay half of the £100,000 appearance fee (or whatever it was) himself, to come and play for us?

It was £100k and yes he did pay half - but didn't it transpire in the end that the company we paid the money to was owned by bonnetti himself?

Quoted from Rick12

only going on what Ive seen(admittedly cant get to BP as much as I would like) but for me probably the best player Ive seen in a town shirt  

quality

Best I've seen in a Town shirt too. He was even better in a Charlton shirt with superior players around him.

Quoted from Henryscat

It was £100k and yes he did pay half - but didn't it transpire in the end that the company we paid the money to was owned by bonnetti himself?

Haha, slippery Italians. You gotta love em. Nice clothes, cheesy growlers and the home of Armani.

Beasant/Crichton gk
McDermott rb
Tillson cb
P.futcher cb
Agnew lb
Bonnetti/oster lw
Cunnington cm
Santos cm/dm
Birtles rw
Rees cf
Mendonca cf

Bench
Cockerill
A.todd
Kevin jobling
Childs
Hearn


Playing a couple slightly out of position I know but they were that good they could do it. Alternatives for beasant and bonnetti due to reasons stated above

Quoted from 75

Haha, slippery Italians. You gotta love em. Nice clothes, cheesy growlers and the home of Armani.

Armani, Versace, prada, CP/SI, etc etc etc

Quoted from 75

Here's my favourite XI. I've been going about 26/27 years and I'm 35 so I can only base my eleven on what I have seen. I've only included permanent player, not loans and a standard 4-4-2:

1. Aidan Davison (gk) - just pips Danny Coyne, mainly due to about 300 clean sheets in the famous 97/98 season.
2. John Mcdermott (rb) - no other right back comes anywhere near. When he was in his prime, he was a top Championship rightback. Perhaps he was too loyal.
3. Garry Croft - (lb) Wins by default to be honest!
4. Paul Futcher - (cb) The greatest player I have ever seen play for Grimsby, my hero.
5. Mark Lever - (cb) Okay, not the most talented but he would put his head where most wouldn't put their feet.
6. Shaun Cunnington (cm) - box to box player who used to drive us on.
7. Gary Childs - (rm) just beats Kevin Donovan. Tricky, good footballer, lacked a bit of balderdash but that's why he was out wide I suppose
8. Dave Gilbert - (lm) Magic left foot, great vision and good technique
9. Neil Woods - (fwd) Lacked pace, great awareness and a great touch. If he had any pace he would not have played for Grimsby.
10. Clive Mendonca (fwd) - Awesome finisher, top Championship standard striker who struggled with injuries.
11. Paul Groves (cm) - Magnificent box to box midfielder who was good for 12-15 goals a season. Very rarely injured (if ever).

There you go, that team would push for promotion to the Premier league in my opinion.

I'm from the same era and that's about the core of it.

Only changes might be Tillson for Lever and Wilkinson/Rees(my 2 heros) for Woods.

Drinkell was a star but like you, was far too young to really notice him play.

Are the most knowledgable fans gonna work on poll shortlists for each position ?  
Remember you can do multiple choice polls for those with 2 similar positions.
Comes down to a vote I'm voting best player regardless of whether I've seen them play.
If someone could do a "runners and riders" thing per postion would be brilliant !

Great idea from the OP - would the Telegraph be interested or do fans want to show them how it's done ?
No pressure, not trying to take over ! (out of my league anyway).
Just some ideas if fans think it's worth doing these polls ?

I can't quite remember who but I'm sure someone did a poll position by position a year or so ago (Forza Ivano?)

Quoted from Henryscat

It was £100k and yes he did pay half - but didn't it transpire in the end that the company we paid the money to was owned by bonnetti himself?

The man was an exceptional good footballer, but in my eyes you had to watch every move he made financially, and your comment above was perfectly true.
NEWFOOTBALLER

Quoted from barralad

I can't quite remember who but I'm sure someone did a poll position by position a year or so ago (Forza Ivano?)

Ah right.
Would be interested to see the team if anyone has it.

no pouton anywhere.................absolutely loved pouts..........and wayne burnett for that matter...

Quoted from livvo

no pouton anywhere.................absolutely loved pouts..........and wayne burnett for that matter...

Yeah, they were close to my team (Pouts closer) but Pouts was one footed, Wayne was a quality footballer with lovely technique and an eye for a pass to be fair.

Wouldn't have Pouton in my all time town side...has to be a  midfield of cummins and leary for me...

I don't care who is in it as long as super clive is up top...