A regional journalist has written a personal account of his joy at seeing his football team get promoted to the Football League just one week into his new job.

Sam Allen began his job reporting on Grimsby Town the Mariners at Grimsby Live just days before his beloved football team were due to play Solihull Moors in the National League play-off final at the London Stadium.

It was a day to remember for the lifelong fan as they won 2-1 in extra time to return to League Two of the English Football League after a one-year absence.

And Sam had the job of reliving his dream in a first person piece for Grimsby Live entitled ‘What Grimsby Town’s promotion to the Football League meant to the fan turned Mariners reporter.’

Wrote Sam: “It had already been a week to remember on a personal note. Starting my new job reporting on The Mariners on the week of a play-off final certainly gave me plenty to sink my teeth into work-wise, and the excitement was two-fold to see Grimsby in another final and report on the action.

“I had experienced every emotion possible for a football fan watching the two play-off ties that preceded this one. 

“You run through every possible outcome to the game, and how you might react and articulate it best; however, as the last two games Town had been involved in showed, you simply can not predict what will happen when it comes to football.

“As part of the younger generation of fans, I did not have the privilege to witness the golden years under Alan Buckley in the 80s and 90s. Therefore, this season and run in the play-offs has brought me some of my most memorable moments following the club.

 “The way it ended was poetic beyond belief, to repeat in some way what had happened in the two incredible games that preceded. To win again in extra-time after initially falling behind in the game, which made each victory sweeter.

“Football is a game of heart, teamwork and patience as much as it is individual talent or skill, and nothing has personified that better than Grimsby’s play-off run this year.