Grimsby Town pulled off one of the biggest shocks in their history on Wednesday night, beating Manchester United 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Carabao Cup second round at Blundell Park. The League Two side, three divisions below their Premier League opponents, led 2-0 in the first half before United fought back to force a shootout.
Wayne Brightmore, chair of the supporters' group Mariners Trust, said the victory felt like a dream. "Seeing us beat Manchester United at Blundell Park didn’t feel real," he said. "It’s dreamland for us, we couldn’t have imagined anything better." He added that the pride in the town was immense and that, had it been his last match, he could die a happy man.
Dan Halligan, a 19-year-old season ticket holder who attended with friends, said he could hardly believe the result. "My brother texted me before the game saying, ‘should we go out if we win tonight?’" he recalled. "I texted him back saying, ‘Mate, let’s go out if we win a corner’. All I wanted to see was a goal." Despite being out until the early hours and having work the next morning, he said he had no regrets: "The whole town was out after, so I had to as well."
The club shop has reported a huge increase in sales, with staff scrambling to process orders less than 24 hours after the win. Goalkeeper Christy Pym’s shirt has sold out; Pym, a Manchester United fan, admitted after the game that he was "half-fuming" with the result. Commemorative mugs and T-shirts are being shipped to buyers in Europe, the US and Asia.
Roy Wilson, 43, a lifelong Grimsby resident who also follows United, said he felt strange before kick-off but quickly got behind Town. "Once the game started I was behind Grimsby," he said. "Seeing the faces around town today, it’s unbelievable." With Grimsby unbeaten in the league and sitting in the promotion places, Wilson believes the club should now aim high. "Before this game we were hoping to aim for top seven and promotion," he said. "Now though, we should be winning the league. Why not? We beat United."
