Mariners aim for Ademeno

Ademeno: 'Grimsby is a big club in this league'

21-year-old Charles Ademeno only played four league games with Southend has been offered a two-year deal with Conference National side Grimsby Town who were relegated from League Two last season, and an early favourite to make a quick return.

The Mariners may have to pay a fee for the player due to his young age, and that may have to go to a tribunal for their decision, but I doubt Uncle Ron will be saved by any sell-on clause here!

Mariners boss Neil Woods told www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk: "We've tracked Charles for quite a while. We were very close at the end of last season to getting him here. He has a good goalscoring record, is a very intelligent player and very quick. With what we already have, Charles gives us an added option of pace in behind defences. He's not the complete package yet but he knows that and is keen to learn. Being an ex-striker I understand the position and have big expectations."

Might be seeing more of this logo come 2011

Ademeno scored 11 goals in 31 appearances for fellow Blue Square Premier rivals Crawley Town last season, including a hat-trick inside the first eight minutes in a 3-2 win at Grays Athletic, and Charles is more than confident he can continue to do the business for his new club.

Also speaking to www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk Charles said: "My agent had been speaking to Grimsby for a couple of weeks. I got the call out of the blue on Tuesday asking me to come up and the deal went through quickly. I was out of contract at Crawley after signing for them last season. They offered me a new deal but I turned it down. I just wanted to play at a bigger club. Grimsby is a big club in this league. When I saw they were relegated, I knew they'd be one of the favourites to go straight back up. I want to play in the league and I think Grimsby is the fastest route for me to do that."

The surprise was to read that the Mariners fought off interest from several league clubs in in January for Charles including Millwall, Southampton and MK Dons!

Not sure about that, but I always thought he deserved longer at Roots Hall, then again he's probably pleased he's out of here with the present goings on, and S24 wishes him the nest of luck in windy Cleethorpes.