Gav Ready To Grab A Rare Double Promotion Chance

The Irishman won the National League Promotion Final with Hartlepool United last June.

When the chance to sign for Grimsby Town in March presented itself, he had a little look at the table.

Although the Mariners’ form was iffy, he quickly saw the play-offs were certainly on.

He said yes to Paul Hurst and quickly targeted a repeat - now the midfielder is one game away from doing something not many players have.

In a big feature for this weekend’s Promotion Final programme, he spoke to us ahead of the climax against Solihull Moors.

So why leave Hartlepool and return to the division he worked so hard to get out of?

“The challenge just presented itself,” he recalled.

“I wanted to do it again. I am hungry to do it, that was a big motivation for me when I was approached.

“I don’t think too many players have won promotion from this division again a year after doing it. I wanted to try.

“This league is proper tough to get out of. To do it back-to-back would be special. I did it with a special group last time and this lot are equally special.”

He added: “I could tell straight away there were good players here.

“The start to the season showed that and we’ve had such a strong final few months.

“Now there is a real determination here to finish the job - we want to take the club back up.”

Read the full interview in the 2022 Vanarama National League Promotion Final official matchday programme - available here.