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Excitement ahead of Grimsby's quarter-final bid

Matt Deanin Grimsby
BBC/Matt Dean Mark Aldridge and Pippa Gilbert smiling at the camera, both wearing a white chef uniform and a white hat. In the background is a large toy penguin with a chip in its mouth and a black and white Grimsby Town scarf around its neck. They are standing behind the counter in a chip shop. Mr Aldridge has a moustache and a beard. Pippa Gilbert has short blonde hair tied up. BBC/Matt Dean
Mark Aldridge and Pippa Gilbert from Pip's Chips say the atmosphere is "indescribable"

Excitement is building ahead of Grimsby Town's match against Brentford later, as both teams battle for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Mariners will be playing the Premier League team in the Cup's fourth round at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, at 19:45 GMT.

The League Two team beat Sheffield Wednesday in the third round after defeating Manchester United 12-11 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

At a chip shop a stone throw from the club's stadium, co-owner Mark Aldridge said: "You can just feel everyone's happy. There's pride in the place. It's indescribable."

It has been 40 years since Grimsby Town last made it to the quarter-finals and, if they beat Brentford, it will be one of the most famous victories in the club's history.

BBC/Matt Dean Wayne Brightmore in a warehouse with boxes stacked on shelves behind him. He is bald and is wearing a grey quarter-zip. He is looking at the camera and holding a screwdriver. BBC/Matt Dean
Wayne Brightmore is chairman of the Mariners Trust

"There's a belief in the air that they can do it," Mr Aldridge from Pip's Chips on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, said.

A born-and-bred Sheffield man and Sheffield Wednesday fan, Mr Aldridge said even he was cheering on Grimsby during their win at Hillsborough in September.

"I left with a massive smile on my face. I've been bitten by the Grimsby Town bug," he said.

Mr Aldridge said his takeaway was as popular when the Mariners were playing Manchester United at Blundell Park as it was on Good Friday, usually the busiest day of the year.

Pippa Gilbert, who co-owns the chip shop, said it was "absolutely unbelievable" and people were queueing for an hour and a half.

She added: "I think they're doing superb. Everyone's happy about it, everyone's now going to the games, people have got hope."

BBC/Matt Dean Val and Mick Carr stood in the street smiling at the camera. Val Carr has short grey hair and is wearing brown sunglasses and a black hooded coat. Mick Carr is wearing a navy Nike cap, black sunglasses and a black bodywarmer. The sky is blue. BBC/Matt Dean
Val and Mick Carr, from Waltham, will be going to the game later

Wayne Brightmore, who works for Wil-Tech Electrical Services in Grimsby, said it had been "an amazing season so far".

He said the club beating Manchester United was "the best night" of his life.

Mr Brightmore, a lifelong supporter and chairman of the Mariners Trust, said, when he walks around the town, he can see more Grimsby tops than ever before.

"Around the town, on social media, anywhere you go, people now have heard of Grimsby Town," he added.

The match will be the club's first appearance in the last 16 of the competition for 24 years.

Mick Carr, from Waltham, said he would be taking his wife, Val, to her first game later.

He said: "It's had a very positive impact on the town. Everybody wants to talk about it. It's good motivation.

"We've beat Man United, so we can beat Brentford."

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