Grimsby Town makes decision as player is approached by promotion winners

Crawley Town have made a bid for Grimsby Town defender Toby Mullarkey, according to reporter Pete O’Rourke on X.

Crawley Town are keen to land the Grimsby Town man following their promotion to League One. They won the League Two play-off final at Wembley against Crewe Alexandra and went up along with Stockport County, Wrexham and Mansfield Town.

Mullarkey, 28, left Rochdale to sign with the Mariners last year, and the Blundell Park team has benefited greatly from his presence. With 48 appearances across all competitions, he has contributed two goals and four assists. His contract is set to expire in 2025.

Journalist O’Rourke has reported on X that the Red Devils had made an approach for him in an attempt to entice him to the south in the most recent update regarding his circumstances. He might be viewed as a way to strengthen their defences before moving on to the third tier.

Grimsby Town man eyed by Crawley Town

If Crawley Town could get Mullarkey, he would provide the team greater depth and competition. It’s helpful that he can play centre back or right back when needed.

As a young player, he played often for the Cheshire club at several youth levels after rising through the ranks of the Crewe Alexandra academy. He did, however, never play for the Railwaymen at the senior level and moved in 2017 to join Nantwich Town after earning experience on loan at Leek Town.
By 2019, Mullarkey had relocated to Altrincham and was quickly making a significant impact at Moss Lane. He contributed seven goals from the back in 94 games for the non-league team.

The Warrington-born man was snapped up by Rochdale in January last year but couldn’t prevent them from relegation out of the Football League.

Nevertheless, he was thrown a Football League lifeline by Grimsby Town and hasn’t looked back since.