Team spirit will boost Mariners' Blue Square Bet Premier promotion push

GRIMSBY Town new-boy Sam Hatton believes the growing team spirit at Blundell Park could be the key to a successful season.

The 24-year-old is one of a three new faces at Blundell Park this summer having joined the club along with forward Andy Cook and former Hereford United winger Joe Colbeck.

RUNNING MAN: Sam Hatton in action on the first day of pre-season training at Cheapside, Waltham. Picture: Michelle Adamson

And, after returning to pre-season last week, Hatton said all three have been made to feel welcome by their new team-mates, adding that he believes that the strength of a team's spirit can make a huge difference to the success of their season.

And he should know – the former AFC Wimbledon man was an integral part of three of the Dons' promotion-winning teams, including that which won promotion from what is now known as the Blue Square Bet Premier, in 2010.

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He believes that for the Mariners to emulate the achievement of his former employer and finally secure promotion back to the Football League, they will need to maintain a strong team spirit and togetherness throughout the season.

Speaking to Telegraph, he said: "I think the key to a successful season is a strong team spirit within the squad.

"If we start well and get a good few wins under our belt, everyone will be buzzing and I think it will lead on to bigger and better things as the season goes on.

"It's early days yet in terms of pre-season, but already everyone is getting on really well and there is a buzz about the place.

"The lads have all been welcoming to me and the other two new lads, and it's a good bunch here.

"We've got a pool table and darts board at the training ground which will make for a good laugh after training, which is always good.

"Pre-season can be huge for creating a good camaraderie between a squad. The hard work brings you together as a group and makes you stronger. It's only two weeks until our first game together and we're all working towards that, we can't wait to get the pre-season game started."