Source: TheGuardian
Grimsby’s fairytale FA Cup run epitomises a season of underdogs
Half of the tournament’s quarter-finalists are from outside the top flight, bringing to mind shocks and stories of yesteryearBy Richard Foster for The Football MineThe Harry the Haddock mascots were out in force at St Mary’s earlier this month as Grimsby beat Southampton to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals. The away fans held aloft a sea of inflatable fish in the stands as their team pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent years. Grimsby became the first side in the 151 years of the FA Cup to beat opponents from higher divisions in five rounds, having already taken care of three League One clubs – Plymouth Argyle, Cambridge United and Burton Albion – and Luton Town from the Championship.Grimsby, who are 16th in League Two and only regained their league status last year by winning the National League playoffs, have reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1939, when they were a First Division side and eventually lost 5-0 to Wolves in the semi-finals. Their stunning 2-1 victory at Southampton makes them just the fifth club from the fourth tier to reach the quarter-finals since the division was founded in the late 1950s. Continue reading......read full article
