Has today been a pivotal day in the recent history of GTFC?
We lost today but we lost in such a proud manner. A manner in which even the most depressive of Town fans must have felt mightly proud of their team.
I hope today has put plenty of faith in the bank of GTFC and can lead to a universal backing of Michael Jolley and the boys in the months to come. I'll always be proud of my football club but today I couldn't be prouder.

Im glad this game happened so soon after the exeter game, it’ll just really build and instill a belief in what is possible and if we do climb up the table this season or be challenging more next season, there’ll be a core to this team who will know exactly how to hold on to results

Shankly, Buckley and Jolley Grimsby's best managers!

I hope the attendance at our home games will improve now.

Quoted from hheh2

Shankly, Buckley and Jolley Grimsby's best managers!

And Big Mac as well.

Quoted from hheh2

Shankly, Buckley and Jolley Grimsby's best managers!

You forgot Lawrie McMenemy Michael but you keep trying and you may well end up there amongst the best.

Quoted from hheh2

Shankly, Buckley and Jolley Grimsby's best managers!

Bit early to include Jolley in the best manager list but I can well see him joining it if we keep on improving at this rate, trouble is he'll probably get poached by another club if things start going really well.
Maybe it's time to ditch the 6 month rolling contract in Jolley's case.

Quoted from hheh2

Shankly, Buckley and Jolley Grimsby's best managers!

John Newman, George Kerr, Dave Booth, Lawrie Mac........ a great display, side showing great promise, good vibes but Jolley has a long, long way to go yet to match the achievements of these fellers.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

John Newman, George Kerr, Dave Booth, Lawrie Mac........ a great win, side showing great promise, good vibes but Jolley has a long, long way to go yet to match the achievements of these fellers.

I notice Hurst isn't even getting a mention in these best manager lists   8)

Quoted from promotion plaice

I notice Hurst isn't even getting a mention in these best manager lists   8)

Who?

Hurst deserves to be on there.

We seem to have turned the corner like the spirit of the team that got us back in the league.

We were hard done to by the ref against who bottled it early doors leaving their keeper on against Bristol at Wembley when most thought we deserved to win.

We outplayed them and definitely, our magnificent fans outsang them but this time it seems better after promotion the team got disbanded albeit Macca, Diz and a few.

This time is very different though, a younger team with a successful youth academy that seems to be coming to fruition and given the chance to play for the shirt.

In MICHAEL Jolley we have a manager and coaching team who with brains and bags of style in the PR department even better than Hurst, A.B. and others.

Lawrie Mac was great at bonding team and fans lets hope Jolley gets the backing he needs to achieve is gold and maybe now is also the right time to move back home to Grimsby.

The foundations look good this time.

Quoted from promotion plaice

I notice Hurst isn't even getting a mention in these best manager lists   8)

I suppose it depends how many seasons people think Jolley will take to achieve anything. ;)

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I suppose it depends how many seasons people think Jolley will take to achieve anything. ;)

It also depends on what people regard as 'achieve'. Hurst's target was clear. What is Jolley's and what will the fans be satisfied with?

Quoted from Ipswin

It also depends on what people regard as 'achieve'. Hurst's target was clear. What is Jolley's and what will the fans be satisfied with?

Promotion by May 2020 and I would be satisfied, Swin.

Interesting Hurst isn’t fixed up yet though, still it’s only January, plenty of sacking time left. ;D

Quoted from Mariner_09

Hurst deserves to be on there.

I'm sorry but getting us up through the Conference play offs after five attempts puts Hurst nowhere near the greats that have already been mentioned, well behind Newman and Kerr who got us promoted from higher divisions in shorter tenures and the managers who were in charge when we were in Division One all those years ago. Absolutely nowhere near being a great..

Quoted from Bigdog

I'm sorry but getting us up through the Conference play offs after five attempts puts Hurst nowhere near the greats that have already been mentioned, well behind Newman and Kerr who got us promoted from higher divisions in shorter tenures and the managers who were in charge when we were in Division One all those years ago. Absolutely nowhere near being a great..

Agree. Although he got us promoted eventually, promotions up from within the league are far more significant achievements and he had at least a play-off budget in all the seasons he was here.

Quoted from Bigdog

I'm sorry but getting us up through the Conference play offs after five attempts puts Hurst nowhere near the greats that have already been mentioned, well behind Newman and Kerr who got us promoted from higher divisions in shorter tenures and the managers who were in charge when we were in Division One all those years ago. Absolutely nowhere near being a great..

I'm not sure you can compare the achievements of managers either end of a 30+ year gap.  

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I'm not sure you can compare the achievements of managers either end of a 30+ year gap.  

I'm sure you can! Whatever else has changed, the ball is still round and it is still 11 a side and the aim is still to score more goals than the other lot. Managers are judged by circumstances and in my book finishing in 5th place in the Championship (old Div 2) in 1984 rates higher than taking umpteen years to get out of non-league in 2016.

Quoted from Ipswin

It also depends on what people regard as 'achieve'. Hurst's target was clear. What is Jolley's and what will the fans be satisfied with?

I think we all know that you will never be satisfied Swin 🙂

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I'm sure you can! Whatever else has changed, the ball is still round and it is still 11 a side and the aim is still to score more goals than the other lot..

It's changed beyond all recognition especially the physical aspect, in fact there are some on here who don't think a player should be sent off unless he breaks someones leg

Quoted from Posh Harry

I think we all know that you will never be satisfied Swin 🙂

Well what exactly would satisfy you?

I'm afraid survival (which appears to please some) or mid table (which seems to satisfy others) is not the extent of my ambition for my team.

When we survive and if we finish mid table that is not progress, its just treading water. Jolley and the club as a whole must be aiming for more

Play offs in 2020 minimum surely if you want to acclaim Jolley and his young team as a new dawn for GTFC

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I suppose it depends how many seasons people think Jolley will take to achieve anything. ;)

I think avoiding relegation last season, after all the damage done by Slade, must count as an achievement.

There was only one place we were going under Slade and Jolley was rushed in with the thankless job of trying to save us from oblivion.

That he did was a minor miracle and an achievement in my eyes.

This season has been tough a clear out of overpaid journeymen and senior players who frankly were past their sell-by date has opened the door for new talent and our youth development system.

These players seem hungry for success the ethos and increased work rate has been noticeable to everyone the small squad as already fought some great battles and bonded as a team.

Still, early days but the foundations look sound this time.

Quoted from Ipswin

Well what exactly would satisfy you?

I'm afraid survival (which appears to please some) or mid table (which seems to satisfy others) is not the extent of my ambition for my team.

When we survive and if we finish mid table that is not progress, its just treading water. Jolley and the club as a whole must be aiming for more

Play offs in 2020 minimum surely if you want to acclaim Jolley and his young team as a new dawn for GTFC

Well you have me a question so I will give you an answer.

For a start, for me I would be satisfied with mid table this year. It doesn’t mean I don’t want more, but with the damage Slade did to the squad and the start to this season I would gladly take that. You might not see that as progress, after what we went through I certainly would.

As for next season then I would say a top half and pushing for the play offs as a minimum and making the play offs or going up automatically would be bonuses.

Make no mistake about it, Jolley is building something very special here.  

The bond between those players isn't something you can cobble together.  They are prepared to run through brick walls for each other, even the loan lads.  

I was apprehensive about what he was doing earlier in the season, especially when he couldn't seem to stick with a system and was favouring the older, slower players in his selections.  But since finding a system that works and going for a fresh, energetic approach we look a different animal.

Interesting how our fitness now seems one of our greatest strengths.  On Saturday Clifton and Hessenthaler especially just didn't stop running.    Earlier in the season the vast majority of us were questioning the logic in playing so few friendlies and looking very leggy as a result in the opening fixtures, now I'd back us to outrun every single team in our division.

Very exciting times.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Make no mistake about it, Jolley is building something very special here.  

The bond between those players isn't something you can cobble together.  They are prepared to run through brick walls for each other, even the loan lads.  

I was apprehensive about what he was doing earlier in the season, especially when he couldn't seem to stick with a system and was favouring the older, slower players in his selections.  But since finding a system that works and going for a fresh, energetic approach we look a different animal.

Interesting how our fitness now seems one of our greatest strengths.  On Saturday Clifton and Hessenthaler especially just didn't stop running.    Earlier in the season the vast majority of us were questioning the logic in playing so few friendlies and looking very leggy as a result in the opening fixtures, now I'd back us to outrun every single team in our division.

Very exciting times.

I suspect a lot of the work went on unseen. Or at least was not apparent to us. One of the strengths to emerge has been the flexibility of the players. Look at how well they’ve adapted as a squad to the challenges posed by not only non-availability of defenders, but how they reacted so quickly in the game on Saturday to going a man down without any subs being made. Maybe some of the puzzling selections before were intended to prepare players mentally for unexpected circumstances and get them used to being out of their comfort zones. I think Bignot may have also been trying the same but the execution wasn’t at the same level.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I suspect a lot of the work went on unseen. Or at least was not apparent to us. One of the strengths to emerge has been the flexibility of the players. Look at how well they’ve adapted as a squad to the challenges posed by not only non-availability of defenders, but how they reacted so quickly in the game on Saturday to going a man down without any subs being made. Maybe some of the puzzling selections before were intended to prepare players mentally for unexpected circumstances and get them used to being out of their comfort zones. I think Bignot may have also been trying the same but the execution wasn’t at the same level.

Exactly!

The Bignot comparison is an interesting one.  I said to our travelling party after the game that it was really nice to see Jolley stand behind the players and applaud them but also let them take the praise from the fans, very classy.  I suspect Bignot would have rushed to the front and centre to take the plaudits himself.  

Quoted from diehardmariner

Exactly!

The Bignot comparison is an interesting one.  I said to our travelling party after the game that it was really nice to see Jolley stand behind the players and applaud them but also let them take the praise from the fans, very classy.  I suspect Bignot would have rushed to the front and centre to take the plaudits himself.  

They both even wear v-necked jumpers ;-)

I like Jolley and think he will do well before being poached, month or two back i was very worried but the ship turned and the team look to be gelling but still without really playing that well in the league.
We are only a couple of players away from being very very good league 2 side and hope Jolley gets a god contract to carry on his forward thinking work

Jolley will not be for too long (12-24 months), and we will then be back to square one and the feelgood factor will slowly disappear.  Unless we change the philosophy of the whole club and not just the dressing room.  We are still the same backwards thinking club but with a good manager who understands the value of youth and the fans.

Quoted from TheRealJohnLewis

Jolley will not be for too long (12-24 months), and we will then be back to square one and the feelgood factor will slowly disappear.  Unless we change the philosophy of the whole club and not just the dressing room.  We are still the same backwards thinking club but with a good manager who understands the value of youth and the fans.

Not sure this is entirely true, it was stated earlier this year that the clubs philosophy going forward is to put more emphasis into youth development with targets/aims set on a set number (I forget how many) of youths coming through into the first team.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Not sure this is entirely true, it was stated earlier this year that the clubs philosophy going forward is to put more emphasis into youth development with targets/aims set on a set number (I forget how many) of youths coming through into the first team.

I agree that the youths have received a lot more funding due to being in the league and we will obviously see signs of them in the future, but all it takes is another Slade who brings in the old brigade and limits the opportunity available to the kids.

Quoted from TheRealJohnLewis

Jolley will not be for too long (12-24 months), and we will then be back to square one and the feelgood factor will slowly disappear.  Unless we change the philosophy of the whole club and not just the dressing room.  We are still the same backwards thinking club but with a good manager who understands the value of youth and the fans.

Bloody hell, i was happy until you came along 🤔😉

Since I’ve been watching town I can only rank the managers I’ve seen in the following order.

Paul Hurst/Alan Buckley mk1 & mk2
Slade mk 1
Brian laws
Hurst/Scott combo
Lennie Lawrence
Groves (loved him as a player though)
Neil Woods
Nicky Law (no time to impress really)
Mike Newell/slade mk2/Buckley mk3

I really like the effect he's having on the club but giving him a GOD Contract is a bit much! See below. ;D ;D

monkeyboy     
2 hours ago     

I like Jolley and think he will do well before being poached, month or two back i was very worried but the ship turned and the team look to be gelling but still without really playing that well in the league.
We are only a couple of players away from being very very good league 2 side and hope Jolley gets a god contract to carry on his forward thinking work

Quoted from Mariner Ronnie

Since I’ve been watching town I can only rank the managers I’ve seen in the following order.

Paul Hurst/Alan Buckley mk1 & mk2
Slade mk 1
Brian laws
Hurst/Scott combo
Lennie Lawrence
Groves (loved him as a player though)
Neil Woods
Nicky Law (no time to impress really)
Mike Newell/slade mk2/Buckley mk3

Honestly Ron I know you’re entitled to your opinion but to put Hurst on the same level as our Lord Alan?!!!

You’d get stoned to death for blasphemy like that in certain parts of the world!  ;)

I'm sure Alex Whitmore was on the bench Saturday assisting the management team also. Great gesture by MJ to get some extra support down there and ensure Whitmore felt part of it, despite his suspension.

Quoted from WesternMariner

Honestly Ron I know you’re entitled to your opinion but to put Hurst on the same level as our Lord Alan?!!!

You’d get stoned to death for blasphemy like that in certain parts of the world!  ;)

I suspect he was stoned when he wrote it  ;)

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I suspect he was stoned when he wrote it  ;)

Needs antipsychotics by the looks of things. Slade and Newel on the list also. How can such names grace the sam book as Sir Alan never mind the same page. Deluded.

Quoted from TheRealJohnLewis

Jolley will not be for too long (12-24 months), and we will then be back to square one and the feelgood factor will slowly disappear.  Unless we change the philosophy of the whole club and not just the dressing room.  We are still the same backwards thinking club but with a good manager who understands the value of youth and the fans.

And to back my point up, a new statement gets released!