PAUL Hurst hopes his new signings have helped Grimsby Town fans forget the pain of last season.
The Mariners boss has moved quickly to add Scott Brown, Jack Mackreth and Toto Nsiala to his line-up ahead of the squad's pre- season return in two weeks' time.
That summer business has been met with widespread approval by Town's supporters.
And Hurst is delighted that the club's ambition has helped lift the mood around Blundell Park after the painful play-off exit at Gateshead little more than six weeks ago.
"I hoped we could bring some players into the club that would excite the fans and get them excited about the new season," the manager said.
"With the season finishing like it did, there was almost a mourning period, but then you're back on it.
"That's life as a football supporter. With your true supporters – no matter how down you are or angry or frustrated – I would imagine that most of them will be missing football right now.
"They've got the World Cup to keep them ticking over, but even then it's not quite the same as supporting your club.
"Whether we had made these signings or not, the majority of them would have been looking forward to the new season.
"Hopefully, these signings and the ones who will follow them, will get them even more excited about the next campaign."
The Mariners' new trio arrive with excellent Conference pedigrees – and combine the experience of Brown with the burgeoning talents of 22-year-olds Mackreth and Nsiala.
Hurst added: "I'm sure the three lads are excited about playing in front of crowds at Blundell Park.
"They are players that definitely fit the bill – they've performed well in the league that we are in.
"And in Jack and Toto, we've got two lads who are still very young and could go on to progress further.
"As always, we hope that's with ourselves. If not, and they are going higher, then that may also benefit the club in the long run.
"They are all good players first and foremost, and tick the right boxes in terms of what we are looking for."
