ROSS Hannah, Nathan Pond and Marcus Marshall would have all been signed on a permanent basis at the start of the season – had they been available.
That was the message from Town joint bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst at a Fans' Forum event organised by the Mariners Trust at Blundell Park last night.
The future of the club's loan players was a hot topic among fans who also pressed the panel – which included director John Fenty – on the issue of a new stadium, striker Liam Hearn's recovery and the team's promotion prospects this season.
Addressing the audience of supporters, Scott said: "The players that we have in on loan weren't available to us at the start of the season.
"Ross Hannah, Nathan Pond and Marcus Marshall – we tried to sign them all permanently but we weren't able to. One went to a League Two club, one went to a League One club and the other had just been promoted, so it didn't work out at that time.
"But as soon as we were made aware of their availability we moved on it straight away.
"That's why they're not contracted at the club, but loan players at the minute.
"If it was up to us, they'd all have been contracted to the club at the start of the season."
He added: "We want to convert all of those players on loan to become permanent players at this football club – that goes without saying; the performances of those players show that.
"We're working on it. We spent all afternoon (yesterday) speaking to their respective agents and we're trying to work on them all."
Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph this week for more highlights from the Forum.
