MARK Bonner reflected on the “mad story” that led to him becoming a promotion-winning Cambridge United head coach.
Bonner watched the U’s growing up and worked his way through the ranks before taking charge last March, and victory over Grimsby secured second place in League Two and promotion to the third tier, where they last played in 2002.
Liam O’Neil’s volley in the first half set Cambridge on their way, before Wes Hoolahan and the division’s player of the year, Paul Mullin, struck after half-time.
Promotion ends a seven-year stint in League Two, while at the other end of the table Grimsby finish the season bottom and return to non-League football after five years.
Mullin finishes as the division’s highest scorer with 32 in the league, breaking the fourth-tier record for goals in a season since it was rebranded League Two in 2004.
“It’s massive,” said Bonner afterward. “We are competing well above where we were expected to be, where our resources have been this season.
“We’ve got really talented players, a couple of individuals who have done exceptionally for us. The unity and togetherness of the side’s been outstanding.
This story is from the May 09, 2021 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 09, 2021 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CALLUM GLEE AT 'CRAZY' SUCCESS
Pompey new-boy savours triumph
EVANS VOWS TO LIFT MILLERS
STEVE Evans has promised to bring \"confidence and swagger\" back to relegated Rotherham after completing a sensational return to the New York Stadium.
CHOUDHURY'S HEROICS SAVE DAY AS FOXES BACK ON TOP
The job is not done yet, says Maresca
DUTCH MASTER CRY IS THE KING
GRYSENCIO merville Sumbeat off some stiff competition to be named the Championship Player of the Season at the EFL Awards,
'THESE ARE THE DAYS TO SAVOUR AS A PLAYER'
THE last time Eoghan O’Connell won promotion from League Two, things didn’t go as he would have liked.
Brazilian lynchpin ticks all the boxes
ALI Al-Hamadi was not best pleased by his Ipswich teammate Sam Morsy's omission from the Championship Team of the Season.
Chris Dunlavy A FRESH TAKE ON FOOTBALL
Prem unlikely, but Sammie’s class act
'WE HAD NO HOPE, BUT NOW WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE'
As DAVE Challinor basks in the glow of Stockport County’s promotion to League One, he takes a moment to reflect on the day he joined the club as a player in 2002.
PARKY WON'T EASE UP JUST YET
WREXHAM boss Phil Parkinson admitted his team owed it to the \"integrity of the league\" not to take their foot off the gas after securing promotion.
BUCKINGHAM PANS OFFICIALS AFTER BORO FRUSTRATE U'S
DES Buckingham blamed another penalty decision for Oxford United’s failure to claim a vital victory as his play-off chasing side were held at home by manager-less Stevenage.