Despite falling narrowly short of the coveted play-off positions on the final day last season, Grimsby Town fans are looking towards the future with optimism with David Artell at the helm, with the North Lincolnshire outfit approaching the 2025-26 season with realistic prospects for promotion.
Strength in-depth amid a number of first-team injuries were Grimsby’s eventual downfall in the business end of last season, as fatigue showed with minimal options from the bench. The Mariners announced a number of departures last month following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, while League Two assist leader Denver Hume has been offered a new deal; yet has been linked with various moves away from the club.
The club also announced club goalkeeper Jordan Wright to be available for transfer, while back-up goalkeeper Jake Eastwood was released at the end of his contract, suggesting that an upgrade between the posts is a particular focus for the club this summer.
David Artell has already added to his squad, with pacey-winger Justin Amaluzor joining from Altrincham while defensive prospect Reece Staunton has made his return to the EFL after penning a two-year deal with the club.
Focal points for the League Two club this summer will be reliability, strength-in-depth and defensive acquisitions, after the club conceded the sixth most goals in the division last summer. This article will explore five players who Grimsby Town could look to sign this summer ahead of the 2025-26 League Two campaign.
Paul Farman – Barrow
As previously mentioned, the club have made their ambitions to upgrade upon their options in goal clear.
And it is no surprise to see, after the 2023-24 season saw Grimsby Town constantly rotate between two relatively inexperienced options in Harvey Cartwright and Jake Eastwood, while Jordan Wright failed to make an impression on the club, having been made available for transfer by the club.
The common theme across Grimsby Town’s goalkeeping conundrum comes from a general lack of experience throughout their options over the previous two campaigns.
One low-risk high–reward option to turn to could be Paul Farman, who was recently released by Barrow AFC.
At 35-years-old, the cultured shot-stopper boasts 285 League Two appearances, having featured for the likes of Lincoln City, Stevenage, Carlisle United and Barrow.
Whether Farman would be brought in as a first-team option or as a back-up, the squad would benefit richly from the experienced offered.
Defensive improvement is paramount for David Artell’s squad, and Farman’s experience could be the catalyst for breathing confidence into the Mariner’s backline.
Tom Lowery – Portsmouth FC
David Artell has previously won promotion at the level, it would be no surprise if the head coach was looking to reunite with members of his former Crewe Alexandra side.
That brings in Tom Lowery, whose career has slightly stagnated since his time under David Artell’s coaching.
A product of Crewe Alexandra’s academy, Lowery was one of the many young talents that flourished under Artell, making 175 appearances for the club, winning promotion and earning a move to Portsmouth in the summer of 2022.
However, the midfielder has been limited for gametime during his three years at Fratton Park, having played the latter half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Crewe.
While the Grimsby Town midfield trio of Evan Khouri, Kieran Green and George McEachran was excellent, fatigue and lack of applicable back-up options proved as the Mariners failed to win in their last five league fixtures.
Therefore, Lowery would provide an excellent option, and could be attracted by the prospect of working under David Artell again.
This move would be befitting for both parties, giving Grimsby Town excellent depth and quality in the midfield positions, while Lowery could flourish again under his former coach.
Jamie Walker – Bradford City
David Artell’s Crewe sides have often embraced a young, progressive identity. However, the coach’s successes with the Cheshire outfit were supported by the experienced heads of Chris Porter, Oliver Lancashire and Paul Green.
The Alex’s 2019-20 promotion winning side’s experienced heads allowed the youthful core to prosper, with Artell looking to replicate these successes at Blundell Park, one option they could turn to is Jamie Walker.
A recent promotion winner with Bradford City, recent reports have linked the club with a move for the midfielder, who still has quality to offer at the level.
Contributing one goal and six assists as the Bantams achieved automatic promotion last season, the midfielder could prove useful as a versatile, experienced head as Grimsby Town look to mount a promotion challenge next year.
Similar to Lowery, the Scotsman’s versatility could also prove helpful in providing a greater depth in Artell’s squad.
Romoney Crichlow – Bradford City
Continuing the theme of former Bradford City players, Romoney Crichlow was recently released by the Bantams after making only ten appearances for the West Yorkshire club last campaign.
At 26 years of age and struggling for consistent game time in recent campaigns, Crichlow has previously proven to be an excellent defender with qualities in and out of possession.
With Artell aiming to implement a possession-heavy, 4-3-3 system, Crichlow’s qualities would be befitting of this system, while a move to the club would also offer regular game time, while the defender is entering the peak years of his career.
Joe Ironside – Doncaster Rovers
Having released Rekeil Pyke and Donovan Wilson, it is fair to assume that Grimsby will be in the market for a striker this summer.
A particular weakness in the squad last season came through the lack of alternative options to talisman Danny Rose, leaving the club short of options in the striking department, forced to play midfielders Luca Barrington and Jayden Luker up top on occasion.
Location could suit a move for Joe Ironside, whose gametime with Doncaster Rovers may become limited as the club prepare for life in League One, having already signed Brandon Hanlan in the forward areas.
With the striker moving further down the pecking order at the recently promoted club, the left-footed striker still has much to offer at the level, having scored 20 goals in the 2023-24 campaign.
A move to Grimsby Town could prove beneficial for both parties, a different option to Rose, Ironside can provide Artell with the option for different tactical approaches, while also placing less pressure on club captain, Danny Rose. While from the player’s perspective, the upward trajectory at the club could help the 31-year-old rediscover his goal-scoring form.