Ross Hannah: 'Acquisitions show what Grimsby Town's ambitions are'
ROSS Hannah completed his protracted transfer to Grimsby Town and insisted: Now that’s ambition for you.
The striker completed a permanent switch to Blundell Park yesterday afternoon, ending the Mariners’ three-week chase for his signature.
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SIGN HERE: Striker Ross Hannah pens a new deal with Grimsby Town yesterday. Picture: Abby Ruston
And, after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal, the 26-year-old immediately turned his attentions towards Town’s promotion push.
“Somebody questioned the ambition of this club recently. The acquisitions that we’ve made show exactly what Grimsby Town’s ambitions are,” said Hannah, who scored nine times during his loan spell with the Mariners before Christmas.
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“This, and the acquisitions we made last week, are only going to make us stronger.
“I can tell by speaking to John Fenty (club director) that he is desperate to get back into the Football League, like everybody else at the club.
“If we’re all singing off the same hymn sheet, that could well come at the end of the season.
“It’s a massive point in my career. I’m 26 and that’s supposed to be your peak as a footballer.
“Coming here on loan got my career back on track, so I owe it to Grimsby for giving me that platform to do what I did – and I want to finish the job off.”
Hannah admits it has been a stressful time since his loan period in Cleethorpes ended and he returned to Bradford City.
“You get a feel for somewhere and I’ve always been one for believing in your gut feeling. Ever since I went back to Bradford I’ve always hoped that the Grimsby move would come off. I’ve had a lot of thinking time which hasn’t helped me much! I’ve had a few sleepless nights – I’m a real deep thinker about things and I just wanted things to be right.
“Sometimes a simple process can be complicated, but it was important that everything was right for all parties.
“It’s not just about myself, it’s about my family, and those decisions come into play.
“If you’re happy off the field then you’re happy on the field, and I felt I was going to be happiest here.”
The former Matlock Town hitman also confirmed that he turned down a more lucrative financial package from another club.
“To be completely honest, I was offered more money elsewhere, but I’ve never been one for chasing money and I never will be.
“I’m happy with the financial side of this deal, but also on the pitch it’s all fallen into place.
“As I told the Telegraph earlier in the week, Grimsby’s also been my number one choice.
“The length of the deal was a factor because it provides security for myself and the club see me in their future plans as well.”
On the prospect of making his ‘second’ Town debut in tomorrow’s FA Trophy clash at Welling United, Hannah added: “Whether I go straight into the side or play a part off the bench, it doesn’t matter, I’m onboard now.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the lads and the gaffers again today, and then continuing what we’ve started.”
Mariners joint bosses Paul Hurst and Rob Scott were delighted to finally get their man.
“We know what Ross brings and that’s part of the advantage above anyone else that we’ve been looking at,” said Hurst.
“We know exactly his personality, what he brings to us and he knows the same with us.”
See tomorrow’s Grimsby Telegraph for more reaction to Ross Hannah’s signing from Paul Hurst.
Comments
by pontoonergy
Friday, January 11 2013, 5:44PM
“Team spirit and working hard for each other on the pitch is what i see in this squad we have now,these players want to wear the shirt for our beloved club this shows in the performances and where we are in this league.A well stabled and settled squad will show good results,Ross-Jamie-Richard-Marcus added to the rest of the squad we have equals sheer quality for a promotion push.I am convinced these players have what it takes to get us out this bsp league,let the battle commence lads make us that proud club once again.UTMM.”
by Grantyy
Friday, January 11 2013, 2:18PM
“That's true properGrimbo, Luton seem to want all of our players lol! they took Neilson and were linked with an interest in Hannah and Pond, maybe they should get a management team in, just not ours!”
by Grantyy
Friday, January 11 2013, 2:16PM
“What refreshing comments from a footballer with his head screwed on and the display of loyalty after his loan move will only help further endear to the fans, though goals are their staple diet :)
I said all along there is something a little bit special about Ross, his thinking is a step in front of most players, he's that little bit sharper, so far he reminds me of mendonca in the way he plays.
Keep on thinking Ross, about how you're going to turn the defence of our opposition inside out and snatch another priceless goal or two, knowing/working out the defenders of opposition teams may just give you the edge.
As for John Fenty, well done and thank you for backing these two great managers, I have asked myself would ross be signing if Liam hadn't got injured? but the truth is this is where we have been going wrong, we have struggled for a striker of Hearn or Ross's quality for a long time now but even when we do manage to get one as we did with Liam, that shouldn't stop us looking down the leagues for another quality forward on the goal trail, there's always a few that crop up every now and then and IMO we'd do well to put some resources into seeing them early and getting them at a good price, creating our own Dale southwell's is every fans hope but the truth is that taking away other teams is a realistic back up to that, that's the other side of football and I think that good scouting and getting the best players early can have a massive impact over a decade, the signings of Liam, Ross, and Cook have proven that although they have proven that they don't necessarily have to be teenagers, being proven at this (or close to this) level seems to be their main thing in common.
It's far away from the days of Conlon and the other journeyman players we have spent too much money on in the past and often for a player that doesn't see the pride in wearing the black and white of GTFC, I have never got that!. A bigger more financially controlled squad seems to be the key to our turn around and well done to S&H for their vision and Fenty for trusting in them, now lets focus and put all of our efforts into the job in hand, this team can win this league if they take every game as it comes and work as hard as they can for each other, they have the quality to make it happen and in their performances I can see their pride in wearing the black and white of GTFC!
UTM”
by ProperGrimbo
Friday, January 11 2013, 8:31AM
“Fantastic news! Well done to scott, hurst, fenty and hannah for making it happen. Just need Pond to come back and i honestly believe we have the best team in this league.
I bet every team in this league would want Hannah, Brodie and Hearn.... even Luton.
UTM”