Grimsby Borough Vs Grimsby Town: Match Preview

Grimsby Borough Vs Grimsby Town: Match Preview

What has been a productive pre-season for the Wilderness Boys concludes with an exciting clash against local EFL club Grimsby Town on Tuesday evening (7pm kick-off), with David Artell bringing his squad across town to the Technica Home of Borough for one final runout before both clubs get the competitive action underway in respective cup competitions on Saturday.

In what has become a regular summer meeting between the teams, Borough have the chance to test themselves against a side who came close to promotion to League One in May, the Mariners narrowly beaten by Salford City in the play-offs having finished the regular fourth-tier season in seventh position following a fine run of form in the latter part of the campaign.

We’re hopeful of seeing a bumper crowd at the Bradley Football Development Centre as we look to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice through ticket sales (and a raffle) in what is the beginning of a season-long commitment and partnership between the club and its nominated charity.

Borough boss Tom Claisse will have been pleased with what he has seen from his side so far this summer, with the new additions fitting in seamlessly with the core of the squad that ended last season in improved fashion.

The Wilderness Boys have continued the front-footed, attacking approach adopted since the Manager's arrival in February, and while preparation friendly results count for little when the season begins, the fluency and intent shown in recent matches breed confidence for a positive year ahead in an ever-competitive NPL Division One East.

With home victories against Thornaby and Barton Town followed up by a 1-1 draw against Grantham Town and a strong performance last time out at step three Cleethorpes Town in game at that ultimately finished 2-2, Claisse’s men will be looking to be similarly competitive as they round off their summer schedule against the professional outfit.

While the majority of Borough’s squad have got plenty of minutes under their belt during those games, Tuesday night’s matchup may see wide player Louis Boyd involved for the first time this summer against his former club, while goalkeeper Heath Richardson could make his debut in a Borough shirt following his move from Lincoln United.

The Mariners began their preparations for the 2026/27 campaign with a goalless draw at Cleethorpes Town in mid-July, just a few days after returning to training.

They then headed to Slovenia for a behind closed doors training camp that saw them incorporate a friendly against Ukrainian top-flight side Zorya Luhansk, a game that ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Since returning home, Artell’s men have won 3-0 at National League Hartlepool United, before seeing off Championship outfit Lincoln City (5-1) and League One Wigan Athletic (2-0) at Blundell Park during the last week, while a largely youthful Mariners XI also held Boston United to a goalless draw in that time.

While defender Tyrell Warren, midfielders Evan Khouri and George McEachran, and wingers Jason Dadi Svanthorsson and Darrah Burns have all departed Blundell Park in recent weeks and months, Artell has added to his ranks in the shape of striker Andy Cook, who has signed permanently once more following a successful loan spell from January onwards, along with defenders Joe Foulkes and Edon Pruti, and forward Josh Andrews, while midfielder Cian Doyle and goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright (season-long loan) have arrived more recently.

With the season now a matter of days away for both clubs, it’s likely the respective managers will look to give game-time to many of their players over the course of the evening.

Though the two sides have never faced one another competitively, the head-to-head record shows three friendly meetings in the last three years, with the Mariners winning by five goals to one in 2023 and 2-0 the following year. Last season’s fixture ended all square, however, as Borough defender Tom Sawyer cancelled out an early own goal to secure a 1-1 draw.

It’s sure to be a great evening’s entertainment between two community football clubs coming together to benefit a fantastic local charity that means so much to many in the region. We can’t wait to see both sets of supporters in full voice at the Technica Home of Boro for the latest Dock Tower Derby.