There are several players who have turned out for both teams across the rich histories of Barrow and Grimsby Town. We’ve put together a starting line-up of the best 11 for today’s connections.

Goalkeeper

Stan Hayhurst

Stanley Hayhurst was born in Leyland, Lancashire on 13 May 1925 and carved out a respectable career as a goalkeeper in the post-war era. Beginning his professional journey with Blackburn Rovers in 1943, where he made 27 appearances, Hayhurst spent time understudying established keepers before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 1948, though he failed to make a first-team appearance at White Hart Lane. His career found momentum when Barrow secured his services for £1,500 in 1950, where he made 26 appearances during the 1950-51 season. Grimsby Town then paid £3,500 to bring him to Blundell Park in 1951, and he became a regular between the sticks for the Mariners, making 62 appearances over two seasons. Under the stewardship of the legendary Bill Shankly, Hayhurst was part of Town’s squad as they navigated Division Three North. He was described as a useful Third Division keeper with safe handling, though occasionally caught flat-footed. His career concluded at Weymouth in 1953, bringing an end to a solid, if unspectacular, goalkeeping career that spanned the lower divisions.​

Defence

Dave Worthington

Yorkshire-born Dave Worthington established himself as one of the most consistent right-backs in the lower divisions during a 15-year playing career. Starting at his hometown club Halifax Town in 1961, Worthington made 37 appearances before Barrow recruited him in 1964, where he spent two seasons making 61 appearances and scoring seven goals. His defining move came in 1966 when Grimsby Town secured his signature, beginning a seven-year association that would see him become a Blundell Park legend. Worthington made an impressive 293 Football League appearances for the Mariners, netting 14 goals from right-back and serving as club captain. His finest hour came in the 1971-72 season when he was instrumental in Town’s Division Four title triumph. After loan spells and a move to Southend United, he finished with nearly 500 Football League appearances. Post-retirement, Worthington became a highly respected scout, working for Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, and Blackburn Rovers under Sam Allardyce, playing a crucial role in identifying talents including Nicolas Anelka and Abdoulaye Faye.​

Matt Heywood

Matt Heywood was a commanding centre-half who stood 6ft 3in tall and enjoyed a 14-year professional career. Beginning at Burnley as a trainee in 1997, Heywood made 15 appearances before finding his feet following a free transfer to Swindon Town in January 2001. He flourished at the County Ground, making over 200 appearances and establishing himself as a reliable defender in League One. Moves to Bristol City (2005) and Brentford (2006) followed, with Heywood winning Brentford’s Player of the Season award in 2007-08. Grimsby Town secured his services in July 2008 as they competed in League Two, where he made 21 appearances during a difficult campaign that saw the club nearly relegated. In February 2010, he was released by the Mariners and subsequently joined Barrow on a short-term deal, appearing in the Conference National before finishing his career at non-league Buxton. Heywood’s consistency and aerial presence made him a valued defensive asset throughout his career, amassing over 280 professional appearances.​

Simon Grand

Chorley-born Simon Grand became a veteran of non-league football with over 750 appearances during an extensive career. Starting as a trainee at Rochdale in 2001, Grand made his Football League debut in December 2002 during an FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year in May 2002. After 40 appearances for Rochdale, he joined Carlisle United in 2004, helping them win the Conference National title and secure back-to-back promotions, though he found first-team opportunities limited. Grand joined Grimsby Town in January 2007 on loan before signing permanently, making seven appearances. He moved to Morecambe in 2007 before embarking on an extensive non-league career. In May 2014, Grand signed for Barrow, spending two seasons at Holker Street where he made 46 appearances and scored five goals, becoming a regular in the Conference North. His experience and left-footed distribution made him a valuable asset, with spells at Southport, Salford City, AFC Fylde, and Chester following before he continued playing into his forties.​

Anthony Glennon

Anthony Driscoll-Glennon is a modern full-back who progressed through Liverpool’s academy system. Playing alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold for local side Croxteth Park, Glennon joined Liverpool aged six and spent over a decade at Anfield before his release in 2018. Burnley immediately snapped him up, appointing him Under-23s captain and handing him three first-team cup appearances, though he never featured in the Premier League. His breakthrough came during a loan spell at Grimsby Town in January 2020, where he impressed in 12 National League appearances, scoring once before the season was curtailed by Covid-19. In January 2022, Glennon joined Barrow on loan, making 16 appearances and scoring once in the FA Cup as the Bluebirds battled relegation in League Two. Recognising his potential, Grimsby signed him permanently on a two-year deal in June 2022 following their promotion back to the Football League. The attacking left-back made 46 League Two appearances for the Mariners before joining Newport County in 2024.​

Midfield

Malvin Kamara

Londoner, Malvin Kamara was a versatile midfielder who represented Sierra Leone at international level. Starting at Wimbledon’s academy, Kamara turned professional in January 2003 and established himself in the first team, making 77 appearances as the club transformed into Milton Keynes Dons. His journey through the Football League continued with moves to Cardiff City (2006), Port Vale (2007), and Huddersfield Town (2007-2009), where he made 45 appearances. In September 2008, Kamara joined Grimsby Town on loan from Huddersfield, making two League Two appearances during a brief spell at Blundell Park. Released by Huddersfield in 2009, he dropped into non-league football, signing for Barrow where he made six Conference National appearances and scored twice before moving on after just three months. His career then took him through numerous non-league clubs including Guiseley, Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers, and Tamworth before settling at Hampton & Richmond Borough in 2012, where he spent five years.​

Chris Clements

Chris Clements developed through Crewe Alexandra’s esteemed academy system. After loan spells at various non-league clubs and in Iceland, Clements made his solitary Crewe appearance in November 2009 before joining Hednesford Town in 2010. Two impressive seasons earned him Young Player of the Year at the Northern Premier League’s annual awards in 2012. Mansfield Town spotted his potential, signing him in June 2012, and Clements played a key role in their 2012-13 Conference National title triumph, making 22 appearances. After over 130 games for the Stags, he joined Grimsby Town in January 2017. His sole season at Blundell Park proved challenging, and in November 2017, Clements joined Barrow on a three-month loan, gaining valuable experience in the National League. He moved on to Cheltenham Town in 2018, helping them win the League Two title in 2020-21, before finishing his professional career with spells at Nuneaton, Stafford Rangers, and other non-league clubs, accumulating over 200 Football League appearances.​

Jamie Devitt

Dublin-born Jamie Devitt became a talented attacking midfielder with a career spanning over 340 appearances. Progressing through Hull City’s academy, he won Young Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2007-08 before multiple loan spells showcased his ability. Devitt first joined Grimsby Town on emergency loan in February 2010, scoring on his debut in a 1-1 draw with Notts County and finishing with five goals in 15 appearances as the Mariners battled relegation. Returning on loan in January 2013, he added two more goals in 14 games. After permanent moves to Chesterfield and Morecambe, Devitt enjoyed his most successful spell at Carlisle United (2016-2019), making 110 league appearances and scoring 21 goals. In January 2021, he signed for Barrow, making 21 appearances and scoring once before returning to Carlisle for a second spell. Devitt also represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level, earning one cap in 2011, and his creative flair and technical ability made him a fan favourite throughout his career.​

Marc Goodfellow

Marc Goodfellow was a left-sided winger who began his career at Stoke City in 2000. After a spell in Iceland with ÍBV, Goodfellow made 55 appearances for the Potters before a £50,000 move to Bristol City in January 2004. Loan spells at Port Vale, Swansea City (where he impressed with three goals in six starts), and Colchester United followed before a permanent move to Swansea in 2005. Grimsby Town secured his signature in January 2006 on a free transfer, where he made 11 appearances and scored once before joining Bury that summer. His most prolific period came at Burton Albion (2007-2010), where he scored 12 goals in 71 appearances and helped the Brewers win the Conference National title in 2008-09. Loan spells at Kidderminster Harriers preceded a permanent move to Barrow in November 2009, where Goodfellow spent 18 months, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals, including one against Grimsby in a 1-1 draw in November 2010. He later helped Gresley win the Midland Football Alliance title before finishing his career at Basford United.​

Attack

Andy Cook

Bishop Auckland-born Andy Cook developed into one of the most prolific non-league strikers, and now has his sights set on the Championship. Starting at Carlisle United’s academy, Cook never made a first-team appearance but loan spells at Workington and Barrow showcased his potential. Joining Barrow permanently in 2010, he scored 18 goals in 60 appearances across two seasons before Grimsby Town signed him in June 2012. At Blundell Park, Cook netted 14 goals in 73 appearances during two seasons in the Conference National, as well as in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 2013. Returning to Barrow in 2014, his career exploded as he scored an astonishing 47 goals in 87 league games over two seasons, earning him a move to Tranmere Rovers in 2016. At Prenton Park, Cook achieved legendary status, winning the National League Golden Boot in 2016-17 with 28 goals (23 in the league) and scoring 51 goals in 97 appearances overall. His exploits helped Tranmere win the 2017-18 National League play-off final. Moves to Walsall, Mansfield Town, and Bradford City followed, where he has continued his remarkable goalscoring record, surpassing 220 career goals.​

Liam Hearn