By Town ownership brings back FA Cup romance for Jason Stockwood
Grimsby Town have defied the odds and remained unbeaten against four clubs from higher divisions in the FA Cup this season.
The Mariners face Luton Town in a fourth-round replay at Blundell Park this evening after holding the Championship high-flyers to a 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road last weekend.
The reward for another unlikely cup victory is a midweek trip to face Premier League side Southampton in a fifth-round tie at Saint Mary’s Stadium in three weeks’ time.
There’s a lot of debate as to whether the FA Cup – the world’s oldest national football competition – has lost some of its magic in recent years, but Mariners’ co-owner and chairman Jason Stockwood said being involved with the club has “brought the cup alive” for him.
Speaking exclusively to Gi Media, the Grimsby-born businessman added: “As we went up through the 90s to the present day, there’s so much football on TV that it’s kind of taken the shine off of it (the FA Cup).
“But the romance of being involved and there being a bit more at stake has meant the interest is obviously greater now we’re working with the club day-to-day and, knowing the impact the cup can have on the club, it’s really brought it alive for me.”
Town haven’t enjoyed much success in the FA Cup for more than two decades, having last reached the fifth round in 1996 when they took on Chelsea.
Stockwood said that putting a run together and the club making it further than it has for more than 20 years has “reignited” his excitement and passion for the cup competitions.
“It’s always been there in the background and it’s, arguably, the best cup competition in the world,” he added. “But I think the fact that now we’re seeing it from the inside, it’s definitely reignited my passion. I think it’s an amazing thing.
“What you really want to do is get to these sorts of stages, where the jeopardy of losing or winning becomes even greater, so it’s even more exciting then.”
The Mariners have already made £213,000 in prize money from the competition so far this season, with a potential victory over Luton this evening adding a further £120,000 to that tally.
“On the financial side of things, for clubs at our level, getting to this round and beyond is a massive boost for the sort of budgets that will have to go into next year,” said Stockwood.
“It would firstly be great for the club, the fans and the players, but secondly – from an economic point of view – it’s incredibly helpful as well.”
A further bonus to overcoming the Hatters this evening is that the fifth-round tie against Southampton has been selected for live television coverage on ITV4 – adding at least another £100,000 into the kitty.
There’s also clearly excitement amongst Town fans heading into the game, with the home end at Blundell Park almost at capacity for tonight’s fixture.
Like many footballing purists, the Grimsby chairman said there’s something special about night games under the lights and the “atmosphere they create”.
“It would be brilliant in all kinds of ways if we were able to pull off a result against what looks like a very good Luton side,” he added.
“It’ll be a busy night at Blundell Park. There’s a chance to really put the pressure on the opposing team and I’m really looking forward to it.”
