To our supporters,



We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Michael Jolley to the role of First Team Manager on an undisclosed rolling contract.

Following a robust selection process, we quickly identified the need to move away from the classic “managerial merry go round” appointment and bring in an exciting, hungry coach who wanted to stamp their mark and build a project at our Football Club going forward.

Why Michael Jolley?



The board identified Michael as our primary target, following an initial interviewing exercise. It quickly became apparent he was the right man for the Club, the Board, the Fans and the players. We truly believe it is a real coup to persuade Michael to join Grimsby Town Football Club.

He spent three years under the tutelage of one of the UK’s finest Managers in Sean Dyche at Burnley as U23 Manager and having involvement in first team matters before significantly turning around the fortunes of AFC Eskilstuna in the Swedish Premier Division. They went from an average of 0.3 points in 12 games to 1.5 points in 8 games through August - beating top sides Malmo and IFK Göteborg on the way.

Michael’s exceptional prior academic and business background - firstly, at Cambridge University and latterly as an investment banker with HSBC - also means he is experienced, hard headed and extremely articulate in communicating simple solutions to complex problems in a concise way. A sought-after commodity in the Football world.

Creating & Embedding a New Philosophy



We spoke extensively with those in the game who have worked with and come up against Michael. They all spoke about his obsession with understanding the psyche of his players, his opponents and responding in an agile way to effectively win football matches. He is a football nut who presented an outstanding, highly researched and robust plan to take Grimsby Town forward to the Board upon interview.

He will bring a modern, cutting-edge approach to match preparation that will take the best bits from his time learning and coaching at clubs like Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Crewe Alexandra. His reputation in the game is universally positive. He will also work closely with newly appointed Youth Development Association Head, Dave Roberts to ensure those values and learnings are enshrined throughout the club. We want to see more homegrown players like young Harry Clifton coming through the ranks at Blundell Park.

Michael has a track record of playing an exciting, high-pressing, attacking style of football. Michael will create a tactically astute, cohesive group with a focus on an ethos of youth development at the heart of his philosophy.



The Board will back Michael to embed a philosophy that sees Grimsby Town Football Club as one of the most attractive propositions for hungry, aspiring young professionals on their way up in the game.



We are confident that next season - backed by a competitive budget again - Michael will build a squad capable of a strong challenge in League Two.

Ensuring Survival

However, right now, Michael will concentrate on ensuring the Club finish the season strong. He will work tirelessly alongside his assistant Paul Wilkinson and the wider management team with the objective to secure our League Two status at the earliest possible opportunity.

This starts with three points tomorrow, as we travel to Carlisle United as Paul Wilkinson takes control over First Team matters.



Now is the time for all supporters to continue to come together, unite behind our new manager, support the players and help us end the season well. Michael attended our last two games and commented on the fantastic atmosphere our fans created to get behind the players.



We have been through darker times than this together before and will come out the other side of this disappointing season stronger and with the battle scars to boot.



We are confident the good times are just around the corner, as we move forward with Michael Jolley at the helm. We look forward to Philip Day introducing Michael formally to fans and the media at a press conference on Monday morning at 10am, which will also be available LIVE on our YouTube channel.

11 games left. All in it together. Let’s do this. All Town Aren’t We!



Philip, John, Stephen, Jon & Michael