Mariners' big Symes bid turned down

By dpye

GRIMSBY Town have had a six-figure bid for Accrington Stanley striker Michael Symes rejected, the Telegraph can reveal.

Chairman John Fenty has confirmed the Mariners tabled two offers for the 26-year-old frontman recently – the second of which was in excess of £100,000.

Stanley, though, have stood firm on Symes and Town now won't be pursuing the former Everton trainee any further, according to boss Woods.

Woods admits being interested in Symes but it is the chairman's assertion that illustrates the Mariners are serious about improving their squad for a vital second half of the campaign.

Mr Fenty said: "We've had two bids turned down for Michael Symes.

"The first involved a player and the second was a six-figure bid without a player.

"Those have both been refused, but we'll keep working on things.

"We are doing our best to back the manager and bolster the squad."

The bid for Symes, who has 13 goals this season, fits in with reports in the Accrington Observer this week.

It reported Stanley had turned down a six-figure bid from a League Two club for one of their players.

The paper also disclosed that the Reds rejected one bid which was money plus a player, but the club in question had returned with a bigger offer.

Stanley boss John Coleman said: "We value the particular player higher and I don't think the player would want to go to the club in question.

"It's not really a shock to me that we have turned it down as we turned down £75,000 for Paul Mullin two years ago. We don't want to lose any of our players."

Chief executive Rob Heys confirmed: "There has been a six-figure bid but we have rejected it."

Mr Fenty has now acknowledged Town were that enquiring club and the player was Symes, who is out of contract in the summer.

The Telegraph understands that the first bid was in the region of £30,000 plus Barry Conlon – before the striker's loan switch to Chesterfield.

But that offer and a subsequent 'cash only' bid have both been knocked back.

Town manager Woods admits he is a fan of Symes but wouldn't elaborate on whether a third bid was in the offing.

The Town boss said: "There has been interest on our part with regards Michael.

"But he is contracted to Accrington Stanley and I don't want to talk about another club's player."

Woods was, however, happy to pour cold water on links with several other potential targets.

He says there has been no move for Port Vale midfielder Simon Richman despite his agent Phil Sproson telling the Stoke Sentinel the Mariners were one of a number of clubs looking to loan the Vale man.

Sproson said: "People have had a look at him (Simon) and there are one or two clubs who have shown a bit of interest.

"Grimsby have said they like the look of him."

But Woods has rubbished that claim and also speculation of interest in transfer-listed Lincoln defender Janos Kovacs and ex-Chester striker Nick Chadwick – who has now joined Barrow.

He added: "I don't know where these names come from sometimes but we have not shown any interest in any of those three players."

Meanwhile, Woods says former Hibernian striker Tam McManus is leaving after his trial period at Blundell Park and a run out for the Reserves against Huddersfield.

But another ex-Easter Road frontman has arrived.

Former Scotland Under-21 striker Ross Campbell, 22, will trial with Town this week.

Campbell has been playing in Swedish football for Ostersunds FK.

Woods said: "We won't be pursuing a deal for Tam McManus and he is leaving us.

"Ross Campbell has arrived and we're having a look at him."