Former Blackpool and Bradford City man in talks with League 2 club

Former Blackpool winger Sean Scannell is in talks with Grimsby Town over a potential move to North Lincolnshire, as reported by Grimsby Live.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after leaving Bloomfield Road at the end of last season, following a disappointing 12 months in the north west. He was signed by former boss Simon Grayson, but only appeared eight times for the Seasiders, scoring once against Lincoln City.

He’s since been on trial with the Mariners, and Ian Holloway is reportedly interested in adding him to the Mariners’ ranks after an impressive showing. Scannell, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland up to Under 21 level, started his career at Crystal Palace, scoring 13 times in 141 outings, including 130 in the Championship.

That led him to Huddersfield Town, where he bagged eight times in 158 Championship outings, leaving as they were promoted to the Premier League.  Since then he’s struggled for games, appearing 18 times on loan for Burton, as well as spells with Bradford and Blackpool which brought little success.

Grimsby kick off their season this weekend in the Carabao Cup against Morecambe, before Walsall become the first opponents of the new league season a week later.

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At 29, Scannell should have a lot to offer League Two. It could be argued he still has League One quality, but he has been beset by injuries since his Championship spells.

He’s certainly still a player that will boost Grimsby’s attacking options though. There’s hope that life under Ian Holloway might bring some modicum of success, after Michael Jolley and Russell Slade have failed to deliver on their promises. Holloway is a popular character in football and that is certainly going some way to attracting talent such as Scannell on trial.

If The Mariners pull off this deal, it could help give them a lift going into the Walsall game a week on Saturday.