Yahoo News Callum Ainley signs new Mariners deal
Grimsby Town have confirmed the long-awaited news that Callum Ainley has signed a new one-year contract with the club.
The 26-year-old signed for the Mariners on a free transfer last year following his release from Crewe Alexandra, making his debut for the club in September away at Wrexham. Unfortunately, the midfielder could only manage a handful of appearances for the club before a thyroid cancer diagnosis sidelined him for months with surgery required.
Remarkably, Ainley made his return to the pitch before the end of the season with two substitute appearances in the final month of the campaign against his former club Crewe and Swindon, providing a crucial assist in the latter game as Town secured survival in League Two.
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Having had a pre-existing relationship with the player from their time together at Crewe, Town boss David Artell knows what Ainley can provide when at his best, which the club will hope to see next season.
Artell said: “I’m delighted that Callum’s agreed to stay with us. We certainly didn’t see the best of him last year for obvious reasons.
“He’s a special player and he showed that in the 20 minutes he played against Swindon and helped us enormously when he came on against Crewe.
“A fit and healthy Callum Ainley will be a massive help for us; creating more goals and scoring them.”
Ainley himself spoke previously about how the club helped him in his recovery, and now his personal feelings are that Grimsby deserve to have his services for another year during which he can hopefully get back to where he was before and perhaps further.
“It’s a fresh start,” added Ainley. “I’ve got a year now to really show people here what I can do. I feel like I owe the club something with the support they gave me last year and helping me get through the toughest time of my career and personal life.
“I want to score as many as I can and set as many goals up as I can, they’re my main jobs. I want to contribute to the team as much as I can with them.”
