Who Are They?

By: Alex Green
Date: 20/03/2009

THE Mariners have netted three new players before the big game against Gillingham tomorrow. Mike Newell has been hard at work during the week after the controversial dismissal of former captain Tom Newey, Phil Barnes and back up keeper Gary Montgomery.

Though Town can call upon loanee keeper Wayne Henderson who will remain on loan at Blundell Park till at least the end of March it has been a problem since Barnes was told his services were no longer required. With the club short of keepers it was up to former back up keeper and now coach Steve Croudson to wear the gloves in the recent reserve game at Derby.

As a result Newell has signed Leeds’ goalkeeper Jonathan Lund till the end of the season. The 21 year old has been at Leeds since a youth and was handed his first professional contract by caretaker boss John Carver after impressing in the reserves. The Leeds born keeper was so impressive in his effort and performances he earned himself a nomination as Championship Young Apprentice award along with fellow candidates Adam Rooney (Stoke) and Nicky Featherstone (Hull)

Newell has also managed to sign another man from Elland Road in the shape of Scottish midfielder Peter Sweeney. The Scot started his career at West Ham with interest from Arsenal, Charlton, Chelsea and several other clubs making the youngster a hot prospect before he decided on a move to Millwall when he was 14.Sweeney has also played for England schoolboys before an agreement with home nations made him unable to be selected for England with him being born in Scotland. Sweeney then joined the Tartan Army set up being awarded 6 U21 Caps for Scotland. The midfielder can also boast an FA Cup final appearance for Millwall against Manchester United where the Lions under the leadership of Dennis Wise fell at the final hurdle 3-0. In 2005 the midfielder joined Stoke before injuries hampered his progress; as a result he was loaned out to Yeovil for 3 months and Walsall for a further 2 last year before signing for Leeds on the 10th January 2008. The midfielder also has his own website at www.petersweeneyofficialwebsite.com

Mr Newell also raided West Yorkshire in the form of striker Barry Conlon the Bradford City striker joins an already plentiful strike force in Akpa Akpro, Proudlock, Forbes, North and Jarman. Conlon’s last goal for Bradford was in their 5-0 demolition of The Mariners opponents for next Saturday Aldershot. Bradford’s number 9 has bagged 11 goals so far this season all but one in the league. The 14 stone striker has travelled somewhat in a sort of Trevor Benjamin omage managing to play for 12 clubs 13 including Grimsby starting in 1996 at QPR Conlon joined Man City playing just one game from the start, his most successful spell at a club would be considered to be Darlington where after 114 starts in the league the striker bagged 39 goals in a period spanning 2001 to 2004.

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