"YOU helped us get Ross."
That is the message from Grimsby Town director John Fenty, who could not hide his delight after sealing a permanent deal for Ross Hannah.
The 26-year-old frontman has penned a two-and-a-half year deal at Blundell Park, and Fenty has revealed the pivotal role that Town fans played in capturing his signature.
Bumper attendances at Blundell Park over the Christmas period, combined with more than £10,000 in sales of half-season tickets, helped to generate £50,000 more than was expected.
Fenty, pictured, said that the extra influx of cash went a long way towards making the Hannah deal happen, adding that Town fans are owed a 'massive thank you'.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Fenty said: "The three games over the festive season really brought in bumper gates and that in itself enabled us to push the boat out and broadly support a fee for Ross, which was rather larger than we would have liked.
"Nevertheless, the deal is done and the fans need a massive thank you for their support over the festive period.
"Over and above budget, that boost brought in about £50,000, which went a long way towards sealing the deal."
The capture of Hannah brought the Mariners' three-week pursuit of the frontman to an end.
Fenty revealed that speculation surrounding the striker during that time drove the transfer fee above what Town were initially willing to pay. But the club's former chairman believes the Mariners will eventually benefit from 'pushing the boat out' to get their man.
He said: "Most clubs are chasing something and we want to stay up near the top of the table.
"That does make you make decisions that ordinarily might not fit the financial envelope, but nevertheless, the fans' contribution made the real difference here.
"Everyone has been talking about him, other clubs have been looking at him – agents, external clubs and the way our fans have been talking have all moved towards driving up the fee.
"That's been somewhat unhelpful, but at the same time, I guess that's because they know what they've got and have seen the way the player can contribute.
"Clearly we all wanted him and now we've got him.
"It's a great achievement to be able to get behind the team and the management in this way. We're absolutely delighted."
Hannah could have taken up more lucrative offers at clubs elsewhere but chose to rejoin the Mariners and aid their promotion push.
And Fenty believes that is a testament to both the player himself and the management of joint bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.
"The personal terms that the player has agreed to are somewhat less than he could have got elsewhere," he added.
"But he wanted to come to Grimsby for footballing reasons, which says a lot about the player and the management team.
"Fingers-crossed, they'll keep things going as well as they have in the first half of the season and we'll benefit in the longer term by getting back in the Football League."
Half-season tickets are still on sale.
