YOUNG Grimsby Town striker Dayle Southwell will return from his summer holiday "fired up and ready to go."
The 19-year-old was delighted to learn this week that the club had decided to extend his stay at
Blundell Park for another year.
That news marked the culmination of a promising season for the frontman from Louth, who made 31 league appearances in total for the Mariners.
He was also named Young Player of the Year by Town's Disabled Supporters Club, receiving the Darren Brown Trophy at the end of season awards night.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Southwell admitted he didn't expect to figure that frequently and says that it's given him the taste for more first-team action.
He said: "When I look back, I think it's been a good season for me. I didn't expect to play as much as I did but having got those games, I thought I did okay.
"But then it was a little frustrating when I was out of the team, because I thought I was doing well in training.
"The managers have to make those decisions though, and I have to stick by those.
"They said to me to just keep going and eventually I'd get my chance during the season.
"It was about taking those opportunities when they came along and I felt I did that to an extent.
"Now that I know I'll be here for another year at least, the aim is to kick on and build on that next season."
"My goal is to play more games, get a few more starts under my belt and, ultimately, score more goals. Hopefully I can do that next season."
While Southwell, above, can reflect on a good campaign from a personal perspective, he acknowledges that, as a team, Town didn't achieve what they intended to.
But he said that if the squad 'sticks together', they are capable of going one better next season by finally sealing a Football League return.
He added: "It was disappointing the way the season ended but we've got to go again.
"We've got to stick together and go one better next season and achieve our ultimate goal of getting back into the Football League.
"It's good that my situation is all sorted now and I can just concentrate on relaxing and
enjoying my summer.
"I've got a holiday sorted in the next couple of weeks but once that's over, it's about getting back down to work, focusing on the season ahead and coming back fired up and ready to go."
