"ANY group of players that get Grimsby Town back into the Football League will be loved forever – and it is a great place to be loved."
That's according to former Mariners striker Alan Connell, who is preparing for his Blundell Park return with Bradford City tonight (7.30pm).
The clash will be the Mariners' fifth game of a pre-season schedule that Connell hopes will be a prelude to a promotion-winning season for his old club.
The former fans' favourite told the Telegraph: "I'm just desperate to see Town get back into the Football League because I think, once they're there, they'll really kick on from there.
"At one point last season, I thought they were going to go really close for the title before falling away, which was disappointing.
"I'm good friends with Ross Hannah, because of the Bradford connection, so I still get to find out what's going on there.
"He tells me what a good club it still is and how well it is run, so I'm hoping they can go one better this season and get the promotion that everyone at the club deserves."
Connell joined Town back in July 2010 and quickly became a hero with the home faithful, leaving to join Swindon 12 months later – having scored 25 league goals that season.
Now with Bradford, Connell enjoyed a stellar campaign last time out, winning promotion to League One and tasting the thrill of a Wembley appearance when Phil Parkinson's men lost out to Premier League side Swansea City in the League Cup final.
He continued: "Last season was unreal at Bradford. I remember, before I signed there, the manager said: 'if we can just get this club going, it will take off because of the size of the club and because we've had a couple of bad years' and that's been the case.
"And it's the same with Grimsby – I could sense it during my time there.
"Because of how long the club was on a bit of a downward spiral, any manager or group of players that get the club back into the Football League will be loved forever – and Grimsby Town is a great place to be loved.
"If they can get promoted back to the Football League this season – the current players will be heroes in that town."
He added: "It will be nice to be back at the club tonight.
"I'm looking forward to coming back because it's a place that holds a special place in my heart – hopefully I'll get a good reception."
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