After a gruelling 6 year absence, Paul Hurst's Grimsby Town made an emphatic return to the Football League, after a dominating 3-1 win against high flying Forest Green Rovers in the Vanarama National League play-off final last term.

The Mariners looked inevitable for automatic promotion in the early stages of the 15/16 campaign, with prolific forward Padraig Amond firing on all cylinders and resultantly ending up top scorer with 31 goals last campaign. However, stuttering form and a great deal of underperforming individuals led them to only just clinching a play-off spot, to which they then went on to win the ultimate prize of promotion at Wembley.

Fast forward a month or so, and key players who played a vital part in that promotion winning team have departed, the likes of Amond and centre-half Aristote Nsiala sealing moves to Craig Hignett's Hartlepool United, and others such as exciting winger Nathan Arnold and Richard Tait, also leaving the Cleethorpes club.

Paul Hurst has counteracted this however, with 12 new signings made, but will these new signings be able to fill the boots of those who produced such quality last term, will they be able to cope with the tough, wearying League Two campaign, enough so to form yet another push for promotion this time around?

Here, Football League World writer George Harbey identifies THREE players who will be vital in achieving the Mariners' ambitions for the forthcoming 16/17 season.

 

Omar Bogle

Omar Boglefg

Omar Bogle is a 22-year-old striker who has been at the club since June 2015, after signing from non-league outfit Solihull Moors.

As well as Padraig Amond, Bogle was another one of those players last year who had a convincing eye for goal, netting 16 times and assisting 9 times.

His most important goals came in quick succession against Forest Green, two goals in two minutes set the tone for the play-off final and sent Grimsby back into the Football League.

Known for his physical presence, strength and link-up play, this could be essential when matching his style of play with the gruelling physicality of League Two, and more importantly, he could be the perfect candidate to fill the hole left by the prolific Amond.

Recruiting players who have experience of League Two, and more importantly getting out of League Two, is a must for Grimsby this year, however Bogle is more than capable to adapt to the League Two style of play, and could be a key asset to all of the Mariners' good fortunes this year.

 

Ben Davies

Ben Davies

After picking up Portsmouth's Player of the Year award last term, it came as a shock to Pompey fans that Davies was not to be offered a contract extension at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

The winger turned right-back in recent years, is now 35 years old. An ever-present for the Blues last season, appearing in 43 appearances in total, Davies could turn out be a bigger coup than he already is for Paul Hurst's men, who lost their former right-back from last year, Richard Tait, to Motherwell.

Furthermore, Davies provides vital experience in getting out of League Two, having won the league with Notts County in 2010, and coming agonisingly close to promotion from Sky Bet League Two with Pompey last term.

With his quality on the ball, and vast experience in the league, Davies will no doubt play a huge part in Grimsby's attempt in pushing for promotion this year.

 

Dominic Vose

Dominic Vose

Dominic Vose is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, on loan from Scunthorpe.

Having been tried out at numerous clubs in his career, Vose found himself out of favour at Scunthorpe, making only 2 appearances for the Iron after signing from Wrexham in February 2016.

A key asset to Colchester's survival in the Sky Bet League One 2013/14 campaign,  Paul Hurst recently secured the services of the 22 year-old on a season-long loan.

His pace, on the ball threat, and ability to assist, will be essential in the number 10 or wide role, left by the previous talisman Nathan Arnold.

Vose could be a incredible coup for a club like Grimsby, who made 36 appearances for Colchester in League One.

So Grimsby fans... what do you think of these suggestions? How will these players fare in pushing Grimsby up the table this season? Where do you think you will finish this season? Is Padraig Amond just too irreplaceable? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!