Grimsby Town: Michael Coulson expects to exit Mariners this summer
MICHAEL Coulson has confirmed he expects to leave Grimsby Town this summer and may have played his last game for the club.
As reported in the Telegraph almost a fortnight ago, the club decided against taking up an option to extend the winger's current deal for a further year and instead offered a two-year deal on reduced pay.
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MIXED EMOTIONS: Michael Coulson receives the goal of the season trophy at Grimsby Town Football Club's annual player of the year awards night, flanked by John Moore and right, Sam Wilson. The goal that netted the winger the golden boot was his finish, after a flowing Town move, during the Mariners' 4-3 victory against Ebbsfleet United at Blundell Park in December. The 24-year-old is a fans' favourite at Town, but believes his future is likely to lie away from Cleethorpes after talks have stalled on a new two-year deal. Picture: Abby Ruston
Joint boss Rob Scott revealed after last weekend's draw at AFC Telford United that Coulson – who was axed from the squad for that game – had rejected that offer.
Now the 24-year-old has spoken exclusively to the Telegraph about a situation he describes as 'horrible' but 'unlikely to change'.
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The England C international now accepts his future lies away from Cleethorpes.
Coulson said: "Obviously, it's a tricky situation. I want to be at Grimsby Town and have enjoyed my time here.
"I don't want to go too deep into it, but I didn't want to take a pay cut at the end of the day – that's what it is.
"It's not much and not a big cut but it's out of principle – I don't want to take a pay cut.
"Because the club didn't take up the option of an extra year, that gave me the chance to leave for free. It's a horrible situation for me because I have had a great time here and enjoyed my football.
"I've got on well with the fans and vice versa.
"It looks like it's coming to an end now but there's nothing we can do about that unfortunately. I know everyone is talking about it. If it could be resolved, I would love it to be, but it doesn't look promising.
"It looks like I will be playing elsewhere next season.
"Unless something changes in the next two weeks I'll be leaving. But I honestly can't see anything changing."
Coulson doesn't want the be branded a 'contract rebel' and says the offer from the club is a decent one of two years. But it is still on less money and the winger knows his international recognition this season and form in more than 100 games for the Mariners won't see him short of prospective employers in the summer.
Indeed, the man who has netted 24 goals for Town, admits his head has already been turned by interest from Football League clubs.
Coulson said: "Fair play to the club, the budget might not be as good next season and they have offered me a two-year contract. At the end of the day, though, it's reduced terms. It's still a good contract they offered but it's a pay cut whichever way you look at it.
"There is interest out there and I'd be lying if I didn't say that has turned my head a bit.
"Thinking there is a chance of playing for a league club is something that's swaying me.
"If I was going to stay in the Conference I would want to stay at Grimsby."
Comments
by ArmyParky
Saturday, April 28 2012, 6:28AM
“If I wanted to stay in the conference then it would be Grimsby. Kind of sums things up really. I rate S&H but feel we're going to struggle next season as we gonna have no money despite earning cash from sales, I reckon Hearn will prob go and yes this season we found Hearn to replace Connel but can't guarentee that again plus will take time for squad to gel again. We really are in dire straights if all we can do is try to generate cash to survive”
by help_19633
Thursday, April 26 2012, 9:33PM
“so whose next to jump the hms grimsby”
by Dexxx
Thursday, April 26 2012, 3:03PM
“I have accumulated a load of red ticks for spelling out our limitations and stating that the.lack of money will prevent any worthwhile investment in the team so don't expect miracles next year. I also suggested we may well be compelled to go part time The warning bells are ringing
.”
by haddocksrock
Thursday, April 26 2012, 1:55PM
“I think S & H want to run a tight ship commitment wise both to GTFC and their management. So the line in the article that 'my head has ben turned by interest from League clubs' is a bit of a give away. I read somewhere that the two year offer was more financially over the two years than the existing terms? Which would seem to be a test of a player's longish term commitment?
But i would not hold any of this against Coulo; damn good luck to him if he can move up and we should be thanking him what he has done for us in the recent past. We have to get a grasp that at our present level things will always be in flux. Players go we have to be ready to welcome the next one through the door and hope he's even better.
UTM”
by wanabe
Thursday, April 26 2012, 12:30PM
“Were's my comment gone.”
by wanabe
Thursday, April 26 2012, 12:25PM
“Head turned by POSSIBLE interest from other league clubs. Think back a year to P Bore offered a two year contract, his head was turned and look where it got him Harrogate. Off you go Coulo, stop making the usual excuses, I would love to stay at this club, the fans etc. Don't think you'll be a big loss to GTFC, your heart didn't seem to have been in it for the latter half of the season anyway. What fooballers don't understand is the normal everyday person are having to take cuts left, right and centre at the moment but footballers think their above that. All it's doing is making most of us prioritise our so called luxuries and football it one which we can afford not to go to.”
by gonnerly
Thursday, April 26 2012, 11:02AM
“Carn't Blame him, if he has the chance of league football. Proberly the only chance he will get. If he can get a 3 year deal with a league club what choice doe's he have. I dont think we will get promoted next season with the clown Scott running things anyway. He has no idea when it comes to tactics. We would be better with Paul Hurst running things with a new assistant. Best of luck Micheal and thanks for what you have done since you have been here.UTM.”
by gtfcNat
Thursday, April 26 2012, 10:58AM
“I'm sure most people in the current climate would take a paycut to keep their job...”
by vontrapp
Thursday, April 26 2012, 10:31AM
“well here we go again another good player being allowed to leave the club over pay the question is do we want league football back at blundel park is the two managers taking a pay cut? we didnt get promotion or the play offs and the players they signed was suppose to help get the club either promotion or the ply offs and once again with the inconsistency of some of the playing staff”
by RasenMariner
Thursday, April 26 2012, 8:45AM
“We are all facing cutbacks - people (fans) are losing child benefits, tax credits and in many cases their jobs.
A two year contract could be a good deal in these troubled times - it is better the devil you know than the one you don't?
With this management team and the core players they have assembled, I think that the club are in with a good chance of promotion next season.
Moving home and taking on a new job will present a whole raft of new challenges for Coulo - it is easy to act in haste and repent in leisure!!
Good luck!”