The Grimsby Town Foundation Shadow Scholarship lads are setting their sights high, aiming to make a grand appearance at the EFL CEFA U19 National Cup final after a heart-wrenching defeat in the semis last year. This year, a bustling Franklin hosted a thrilling match against Derby County. The Mariners, despite a slow start, rallied from being a goal behind to turn the tide in their favour. A beautifully executed set piece saw Kit-Bushel level the scores, leaving the crowd in a frenzy. As the match heated up, a Derby player earned himself an early shower, leaving the Rams with ten men. The Mariners capitalised on the advantage, with Kit-Bushel netting his second of the day. The Rams put up a spirited fight despite being a man down, managing to equalise. However, a last-minute winner from Mawer sent the crowd into wild celebrations as Grimsby booked their spot in the final against Colchester United, scheduled for May 13 at Stoke City’s Bet365 stadium. The Shadow Scholarship at Franklin offers a unique blend of elite education and professional football training. Students on the programme represent the Grimsby Town Foundation in the EFL CEFA U19 league while also focusing on their studies at Franklin College. This programme is open to both boys and girls, with the boys studying a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sports (Coaching and Development) in addition to their football regimen, while the girls can choose from a wide range of full-time courses.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
