Grimsby fight to keep duo

Boulding joined the Mariners in September as an unattached player following a 2 year spell at Mansfield. The pacy striker has come into top form as the season ends with 7 goals in his last 10 games.

However Boulding is our of contract this summer and has attracted the interest of West Ham, Leicester and Sheffield United to name a few. Both Leicester and West Ham are rumoured to offered Boulding treble his current wages. Sheffield United may not be able to compete with such wages but hold the ace in the pack....Boulding supported the Blades from a young age and still lives in the City.

Meanwhile 20 year old defender Simon Ford is also attracting numourous clubs to his name. The youngster was signed on a free transfer last summer following been released from Charltons academy. Ford made his debut in the 0-0 draw against Preston in December and has been a key member of the squad squad since, even becoming captain for a few minutes in the 3-1 win over Burnley last week. Clubs rumoured to be interested in the highly rated defender are Wolves, Bradford, Cardiff (who's manager, Lennie Lawrance, brought Ford to Grimsby during his spell there as manager) and Bobby Robson's Champions League bound Newcastle United.

Like Boulding, Ford is out of contract in the summer but unlike Boulding is under 24 so a fee will be set by tribunial. However those in the Grimsby camp are worried that the set fee could be less than £100,000.