League Two side Grimsby Town are in the hunt for a new manager after Paul Hurst and his assistant Chris Doig left the club on Monday morning for League One side Shrewsbury Town.
The Mariners’ chief led his former charges to promotion to the Football League through the Vanrama National League Promotion Final last season and will have impressed Shrews’ bigwigs as far back as last December when Grimsby dominated both games against Salop in the FA Cup Second Round, finally succumbing in the last minute of the replay at Greenhous Meadow thanks to Abu Ogogo’s strike.
Former Shrewsbury favourites Scott Vernon and Craig Disley are also on the books at Blundell Park and the Mariners have made a more-than-satisfactory start to the League Two season.
But as recently as May’s Vanarama National League Promotion Semi-Final first leg defeat to Braintree, Mariners’ fans were calling for Hurst’s head – some even displaying a ‘Hurst Out’ banner on the main route into North East Lincolnshire port.
Now, nearly six months later, the Mariners’ faithful took to Twitter with an outpouring of grief at the departure of their manager.
Paul Hurst and Chris Doig gone? Sad day for @officialgtfc, he was a loyal and hard working man, all the best to him #GTFC #fish
— Rich (@Rich_HUK) October 24, 2016
Odd that Paul Hurst has chosen to move to Shrewsbury. Definitely a step up but had been heavily linked with “bigger” roles in the past
— Dave (@LTFC_Dave) October 24, 2016
All the best to Paul Hurst in his new job. Would love to see @dancowley1 at #gtfc. An excellent young manager who is on the up
— Davide Sands (@DavideSands) October 24, 2016
Mightily depressing to see Paul Hurst leave #gtfc. Weirdly maligned by fans despite being a level-headed success. We owe you a great deal.
— Jack Connor (@jackconnor89) October 24, 2016
From Conference doldrums to 8th in League 2. We got a great day at Wembley too. Hurst delivered. Best of luck to him. #GTFC
— Rich Lord (@RichMariner) October 24, 2016
Best of luck Paul – you have got an almighty job ahead. New #Shrewsbury Town manager: Paul Hurst https://t.co/YTfb2q5Lbw via @ShropshireStar
— Howard Archer (@HowardArcherUK) October 24, 2016
The Mariners will now travel to Yeovil Town for a Sky Bet League Two clash on Saturday with physio Dave Moore set to be in caretaker charge of the club. The ex-Mariners’ right back had a previous temporary spell in charge at Blundell Park, winning two of his four games in charge against AFC Wimbledon and Kettering Town in the Football Conference.
