Grimsby Town tie down Harvey Rodgers as Mariners push for strong finish

Grimsby Town have moved to secure one of their key defenders for the longer term, with Harvey Rodgers signing a new contract that keeps him at Blundell Park until 2028. For football followers across Lincolnshire, the deal is a notable piece of business at an important stage of the season. Grimsby are firmly in the play-off picture in League Two, and the decision to extend Rodgers' stay points to a club looking not only at the closing weeks of this campaign, but also at what comes next.

The 29-year-old has become a familiar presence in the Mariners back line since joining from Accrington Stanley in 2023. In that time he has made 143 appearances in all competitions, underlining both his consistency and his importance to the side. Speaking after the agreement was confirmed, Rodgers said he was pleased to get the deal completed and made clear he sees Grimsby as the right place to continue his career.

He also pointed to the spirit within the squad and around the club, describing a sense that something positive is being built. That message is likely to resonate with supporters in North East Lincolnshire and beyond, especially with the team sitting seventh in the fourth tier and still very much involved in the race for the play-offs. At this point in the season, continuity can matter just as much as form, and keeping experienced players in place can offer a degree of stability as pressure builds.

There is also an option for Rodgers' contract to be extended by a further year, giving the club additional flexibility in the future. Head coach David Artell was full of praise for the defender, describing him as the best right back in League Two and saying his performances this season have earned the new deal. For Grimsby, the timing feels significant.

Clubs in Lincolnshire are often judged not just on results from one weekend to the next, but on whether they are building with purpose. In Rodgers, Town have retained a player who has quickly established himself as a dependable figure at the back, and one who appears fully bought into the direction the club is trying to take. Attention now turns back to matters on the pitch.

The Mariners have eight games left to play and host Harrogate next Friday at 15:00 BST, with every point carrying extra weight as the season enters its decisive phase. For supporters keeping a close eye on football across the county, Rodgers' new deal offers a clear signal of intent. With the campaign finely poised and a top-seven finish still on the line, Grimsby have chosen to secure a player they clearly see as central to their plans.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.