Grimsby Town could hit the jackpot after player's Swindon Town, Ian Holloway snub | OneFootball

Winger Charles Vernam's move to Swindon Town fell through, and that could ultimately be very beneficial for Grimsby this season.

It's fair to say attacking wide man Charles Vernam has struggled with persistent injuries over the last two years of his latest spell at Blundell Park, but in terms of natural ability and threat, he's a top player at League Two level when fit.

Former Grimsby Town boss Ian Holloway agrees, and tried to take him to Swindon Town recently. However, the deal was never finalised, and that could prove a real blessing for David Artell.

Vernam, 28, currently in his third spell with the Mariners, came through the ranks at Derby County, before enjoying loan spells in Icelandic football and with Coventry City prior to joining Grimsby for the first time (again, on loan) in January 2018, before making the move permanent the following summer.

The talented Lincoln-born man would show his ability in flashes, working under the likes of Russell Slade and Michael Jolley, before briefly going on loan to non-league side Chorley, and then really flourishing in a Mariners shirt when Ian Holloway took charge for the second half of the 2019/20 season, one that ended prematurely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Poor communication and mismanagement led to Vernam being inexplicably let go at the end of the campaign, with League One Burton swooping. Since then, the pacy winger has been on the books of Bradford City and Lincoln City, before returning to the East Coast in the summer of 2023.

Holloway's time at Blundell Park had long gone pear-shaped back in 2020, but the Bristolian now finds himself in the Swindon hotseat, and did very well to turn the Robins' season around last time out.

The former Crystal Palace, Blackpool, and QPR boss confirmed to the local press that he had made a move to reunite with Vernam earlier in the summer, but the player had opted against the deal having traveled down for talks.

Vernam's failed move could prove fruitful for Grimsby

Vernam is probably more frustrated than anybody as to how the past two years at Blundell Park have turned out up to now.

Brought in by previous boss Paul Hurst ahead of the 2023/24 season, it was hoped the winger would rediscover his previous form and provide the Mariners with a real attacking edge from the left flank.

While he's shown glimpses at times, the former Derby youngster has failed to put a run of games together consistently at any point, with persistent knocks and strains limiting his availability throughout.

Vernam has featured just 38 times in all competitions for Grimsby since his return to the club two years ago, and despite his obvious abilities, he'll know that's far from ideal and perhaps understand why Artell was willing to let him leave the club last month.

However, the Mariners boss will also appreciate that, on his day, Vernam is a game-changer capable of magic moments at fourth-tier level, and should he be able to get him on the park a little more, it could greatly enhance his side's attacking threat and, in turn, their aspirations for the season.

The winger's pace, direct running and trickery in tight areas are a defender's nightmare, and should he have a little more luck in terms of fitness, Artell and the Grimsby support may just find themselves delighted Vernam's proposed move to their League Two rivals fell through come the final reckoning in May.

Grimsby's plethora of wide options may allow Vernam to be used sparingly, allowing him to maintain fitness

Artell has strengthened his squad over recent transfer windows, not least in the wide areas, where the likes of Jason Dadi Svanthórsson, Darragh Burns, and Justin Amaluzor offer different attributes to create a varied threat.

With forward Jaze Kabia, and attacking midfielders Jamie Walker and youngsters Cameron Gardner and Henry Brown also able to fill in on the flanks, it's fair to say the Mariners aren't short of depth in multiple positions.

This may allow the Grimsby boss to rotate his wingers a little, keeping them fresh and free of fatigue, and therefore ease the pressure on Vernam a little, seeing him miss out when needed or affecting games from the bench more often, and, as a consequence, make him available a little more regularly.

If Artell and Grimsby can have the wide man fit for 30 league games a season rather than 17, it could be the difference between success and disappointment.