New signing Lenell John-Lewis is raring to go for Grimsby Town

NEW signing Lenell John-Lewis has pledged to "ruffle a few feathers" in his bid to fire Grimsby Town's Football League return.

The 23-year-old striker was the Mariners' last-gasp deadline day deal after joining from League One club Bury on an 18-month contract.

He joined up with his Mariners team-mates for the first time today – further adding to the club's wealth of attacking options.

But after sealing the deal, he told the Telegraph that he isn't fazed by the prospect of having to compete with seven other strikers for a starting spot in the side.

"There are a lot of strikers at the club but it doesn't faze me, if anything it spurs me on," he said.

"I've never minded how many strikers there are at the club or how many I've got to compete with for a place.

"I'm just going to come in, do my best and fight for my place – that's my aim.

"I'll definitely bring pace, power and competitiveness.

"I'm here to ruffle a few feathers of the back fours in this league and get as many goals as I can.

"I want to get goals and help his team get back into the Football League," he added.

The move to Cleethorpes has signalled a Lincolnshire return for John-Lewis who started his career with Grantham Town before moving to the Mariners' fierce rivals Lincoln City.

After four years with the Imps, the Londoner then move to Bury in 2010 – where he became something of a cult hero with the Gigg Lane fans.

But he admits that a lack of first-team football at the Shakers became a frustration – particularly in the last two seasons where the majority of his appearances have been from the bench.

And so after hearing of Town's interest – and speaking to joint-bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst, he showed no hesitation on putting pen to paper at Blundell Park.

He said: "I'm chuffed to be here – it's very exciting and I just can't wait to get started to be honest.

"I found out about the move on Wednesday and it was a case of going to speak to my manager about it.

"I trained yesterday morning and then I got called off to come across here.

"It all moved pretty quickly to be honest and I'm delighted to be here.

"I wasn't getting the amount of games at Bury as I would have liked – it's been that way for the last couple of seasons to be honest.

"I wanted to get more starts and play more regularly but I've just been coming off the bench.

"But now I'm here, I feel like I can fight for a place and make an impact.

"I'm coming to a club where I know I can fit in and play regular football.

"The managers tried to get me in on loan last season and so I knew that they clearly had a liking for me and that's an important thing for me.

"I wanted to play for them – that was a massive factor in the move for me.

"They didn't have to sell the club to me. You can see the ambition of the club and what they're trying to achieve here.

"They want to get back into the league this season and for the managers to want me to be a part of that swayed me massively."

As well the draw of Scott and Hurst, John-Lewis has also revealed that discussions with former Shakers team-mate Marcus Marshall also convinced him to sign.

He added: "Obviously I know Marcus from my time at Bury and we get on really well I've been talking to him quite a bit over the last few weeks.

"He's really enjoyed his time here and so he's been telling me all about the club and the other players. It's all been good things."

After signing, John-Lewis has now set his sights on making an instant impact at Town, starting tomorrow in the home clash with Alfreton.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of the lads and hopefully I can play some part on Saturday.

"It's at home so it would be an ideal way of making my debut, hopefully I can get on and make an impact.

"This season it's all about trying to help the team get promoted that's the aim and I'll be doing all I can to help the team achieve that."