Grimsby Town

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Hartlepool United have extended the loan of defender Sam Lavelle for a further month.

Lavelle, 30, has played five games for Pools since his arrival from League Two side Grimsby Town in October.

He had featured in just one EFL Trophy game this season for the Mariners before his switch to Hartlepool.

Image source, Shutterstock

Grimsby Town have appointed former Norwich and Wolves defender Ryan Bennett as their player recruitment lead.

The position was previously held by Alex Hughes, the son of former Wales international Mark, who died aged 38 in June from sudden adult death syndrome.

Bennett, 36, started his playing career with Grimsby and became their youngest ever captain when he led the team aged just 17 in 2007.

Since retiring from playing in 2024, he has had roles scouting for Luton Town and Premier League club Brentford.

"Ryan knows what it means to represent this football club. Having come through our youth system, captained the first team at such a young age and gone on to enjoy an impressive career in the game, he brings a valuable understanding of football at every level," chief executive officer Polly Bancroft told the club website., external

"We recognise that this appointment comes at a particularly difficult time for the club following the sudden passing of Alex Hughes.

"Alex was a valued member of our team and his contribution to Grimsby Town will not be forgotten."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Grimsby Town forward Iwan Morgan says Saturday's League Two match with Newport County carries extra significance as he prepares to face a familiar face.

"One of them, Kieron Evans, is my sister's boyfriend," 20-year-old Cardiff-born Morgan told BBC Radio Humberside with a smile.

"It's going to be a nice moment. Two families coming together to watch us play."

Both Evans - who is four years older - and Morgan began their footballing journeys in the Cardiff City academy, before moving on to English clubs to pursue their footballing careers.

Having been unable to break into Brentford's first team, Morgan joined Grimsby in the summer.

The Wales Under-19 international has featured in every league game for the Mariners this season and enjoyed his most productive outing yet in last weekend's 2-0 win over Crawley Town, registering his first goal and assist of the campaign.

Evans, meanwhile, after a string of loans from Cardiff including at Newport in 2024-25 before joining Eastleigh, returned to Rodney Parade on a permanent basis for this season.

He made his first start under Hayden Mullins in the goalless draw at Accrington Stanley.

Despite their off-field connection, Morgan expects any sentiment to disappear when the whistle goes.

"On the day he will be my competitor. We might get into a bit of a tussle," said the Grimsby forward.

"I've been winding him up all week saying, 'I'm going to leave one on you'. I've told him he wants to stay nice and strong because he doesn't want to be looking weak in front of his girlfriend."

And Evans, from the south Wales valley town of Brithdir, shares the same competitive mindset.

"I'll treat him as every other player, but the main goal is to win," the former Wales Under-20 international said.

"We've spoken about it for a couple of years, wondering whether we'll play against each other. So it'll be nice to play against him, but I want to win - that's the main target."

While both players are connected off the pitch, the match throws together two sides at opposite ends of the table.

Newport are 19th and searching for a first league win since the opening day, despite a 2-0 EFL Trophy victory against Swindon this week, while Grimsby remain unbeaten in League Two.

And with the rivalry coming to the fore, Evans joked that he is not sure who his girlfriend will be supporting at Rodney Parade come 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Whatever the result, Morgan expects a memorable occasion with someone he has "massive respect" for.

"At the end of the day, I want the best for him as well," he added.

"It will be nice for my sister to see her little brother and her boyfriend playing on the same pitch.

"I will have a lot of people there. I might have to ask the club to put their hand in their pocket for a few more [tickets]. My nans, my grandad, my best mates will all be there.

"Whatever the outcome on Saturday, it's going to be a great moment for me.

"Hopefully we can walk away with three points."

How are Grimsby Town and Swansea City linked through their recruitment and analysis?

In the newest episode of the 72+ podcast, Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff and Cambridge United boss Neil Harris find out in conversation with Grimsby CEO Polly Bancroft, who talks Jamestown Analytics, club growth, ambitions and what it's like to be one of the few female chief executives in the EFL.

That's after the panel are joined by Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Solent's sports editor, to chat Spygate, the looming verdict over Tonda Eckert and how the club is feeling in this decisive week.

There's also discussion and debate on Championship table-toppers Swansea City and League One strugglers Peterborough United.

Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.