WITH Grimsby Town about to launch another summer rebuilding project, perhaps it's time for a change of tact when it comes to their recruitment plans.
The pool of released Football League players is getting steadily deeper as the close-season progresses, with an increasing number of players on the look-out for new employers.
Traditionally, Town have plundered this market to bolster their ranks with either older, more experienced pros, or younger players judged as having failed to make the grade higher up the pyramid.
The long-term success of this method is up for debate with Scott Kerr, Jamal Fyfield, Joe Colbeck, Sam Hatton and Clayton McDonald – all signed after their exit from league clubs – among the eight to be released by Paul Hurst this month.
The flip-side of the coin is Alex Rodman who, after putting himself back in the shop window during his time at Town, is set for a move back to league football – whether in England or north of the border.
But this summer, why not go the other way and look to promote from below again – a ploy with which Town have enjoyed much more success in recent years.
Player of the Year James McKeown, Shaun Pearson and Liam Hearn – once linked with a six-figure league move away from Blundell Park – were all plucked from lower down by Hurst and Rob Scott.
Scott hinted to the Telegraph that the bosses may have gone down that route again last summer but, ultimately that didn't materialise as Town looked to experience.
"(James, Shaun and Liam) were all lads that we've taken from lower down the leagues and brought them through. We're proud that we're able to nurture those players," he said.
"Whether we have to do that again this season, we'll have to wait and see. We certainly know what we need this time around."
Hurst has gone on record as saying that he's looking for 'a little change' – particularly in midfield and up front – this season – why shouldn't that be up-and-coming players from further down?
A quick – some would say lazy – glance at last season's stats and tables certainly throw up some interesting names.
Ross Allen rattled in an incredible 54 goals this season – albeit for Guernsey in the Isthmian League's Division One South, earning him the Non-League Paper's Golden Boot Award.
Higher up, Leon Mettam, pictured above, grabbed 45 for Worksop Town in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League while Tom Greaves plundered 34 for divisional rivals FC United of Manchester.
If you look, there are similar numbers in the Calor Southern League and the Isthmian Premier, and while there's no suggestion that these are the players Town should be targeting, it's clear the talent is there.
Further endorsement for recruiting from lower down the pyramid can be found by 'googling' the respective careers of Conor Washington and Joe Lolley.
Only a few years ago both were playing even further down than the likes of Allen, Mettam and Greaves but now find themselves in the Football League after earning their former clubs a pretty penny.
Granted, looking down the leagues can be a risk, but while some moves don't work out (Anthony Church, for example) there's always the chance of finding another McKeown or Pearson; young and hungry players whose careers are only going one way.
What do you think?
Would you like to see Town dip into the lower leagues and if so, who would be your picks?
