GRIMSBY Town legend Kevin Donovan has warned supporters to disregard cup competitions at their peril – and he should know.
The Mariners' 3-0 replay win over Coalville Town in the FA Trophy this week means that the club's fight across three fronts goes on, ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie against Northampton Town.
However, some Town fans have voiced concerns that the cup competitions will prove a distraction from the club's primary objective of sealing promotion back into the Football League.
Many of them point to last season, when Paul Hurst's side went all the way to the FA Trophy Final and play-offs, but ultimately fell short on both counts.
But Donovan, who played a starring role in the Mariners' famous double-winning season of 1998, stressed that a successful run in the cup can do wonders for a club's league campaign.
He told the Telegraph: "The cups were a massive part of my time here and it was those competitions that have given me the happiest memories of my Town career.
"Days like the Auto Windscreens Shield Final stay with you forever – you never forget those.
"A good run in the cup, whatever competition, can keep your momentum going and that can really help your league campaign. You just can't disregard the cups.
"In 1998, the cup competitions kept us all fit and motivated for the league and while you're in a cup, you want to do your best in it, regardless of what competition or level it is at.
"If you can keep getting good results and winning, then it breeds confidence, which is a massive thing in football and was a massive part of our success in 1998."
Donovan, who spent four years at Blundell Park between 1997 and 2001, was back at Blundell Park this week to star in a Legends team against a side made up of supporters in the fundraising 'Chairman's Challenge' match.
And the man who scored the winner in that play-off final in 1998, said it was great to be involved.
"It was nice to be back and get back out on the pitch," he added.
"It's been quite a few years since I've been at Blundell Park so it was good to see a few faces again.
"It brought back some fantastic memories."
