GRIMSBY Town's joint bosses remain on course for a rare play-off treble – here Paul Hurst recalls his vivid memories of the end of the season 'lottery'...
"THERE are pictures of Rob picking me up and all the fans were right next to us celebrating instantly."
Twice, Paul Hurst and Rob Scott have achieved promotion as managers – and twice, they have done it through the play-offs.
In 2009, the duo were given their managerial break at Ilkeston Town. Just five months after taking the reigns, they guided the Robins to play-off glory after a semi-final win over Kendal Town and final triumph against Nantwich Town.
In the following campaign – their first season at Boston United – a 2-1 victory over North Ferriby took them to another final and paved the way for a promotion-clinching victory, at Bradford Park Avenue.
Now, just over two years after their arrival at Blundell Park, the co-managers are on the verge of making it a hat-trick of sorts.
And Hurst admits that 'doing it the hard way' through the play-offs makes for wonderful memories – provided you win, of course.
He told the Telegraph: "It's great getting promoted in the regular season and I was lucky enough to do that as a player – the fans are on the pitch celebrating and often the season carries on.
"With this, that's it. In this scenario, if you get to that final, there's nothing else to worry about.
"With the promotion at Ilkeston I was still playing as well. I wasn't overly ecstatic when we went into extra-time in the final and then had a player sent off – I wasn't at my youngest and freshest at the time so that wasn't great!
"But afterwards, it was almost a relief, and emotions take over.
"My wife and kids, and my brother and his wife, were there, and I can remember picking up my little boy and celebrating.
"It's a fantastic day and we had a great night out after that.
"At Boston, a lot of what I remember was what happened at the final whistle.
"There are pictures of Rob picking me up and all the fans – because of how it was set-up at Bradford Park Avenue – were right next to us celebrating instantly.
"That wouldn't happen at Wembley, but those memories stick with you, there's no doubt about that.
"For people who have only been involved in the Football League, they might say 'they got promoted but it's only the Northern League or whatever,' but that meant a hell of a lot to us."
Replicating that success with the Mariners and achieving promotion to the Football League would top that success, according to Hurst.
"While it was fantastic at Ilkeston, at Boston we had assembled that squad 100 per cent and it was our making," he added.
"We had spent all year with them, and they were a fantastic group of players who turned up after a day's work.
"Knowing how we are, it wasn't a social by any means – it was very much a job still. That's a big part of why we were successful.
"It was really satisfying and, taking Bradley (Wood) out of it, this is again our squad here.
"So much hard work has gone in, right from pre-season through the campaign, and particularly recently when we lost a few games and had to bounce back from that.
"That has made us more resilient and helped us draw the group closer together. To cap that off with promotion would be an absolutely fantastic achievement."
Hurst continued: "Leading the team out at Wembley last month was such a proud moment and it would be again.
"I was lucky enough to win there as a player and you never forget that – as a one-off, it's a fantastic moment, but over a season to win promotion is a far bigger achievement.
"That's what we're trying to do and would love to do as Grimsby Town's managers.
"We've said many times that when we arrived here there was a black cloud over the club and some people still won't be happy until the club gets back to the Championship.
"But ultimately, to get back into the Football League is a major aim for everyone involved and we've got a chance.
"There will be four teams in there and our first goal is to get to that final. Secondly, it's about winning it."
