Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst admits his players ‘shocked’ him after their stunning FA Cup win at Southampton.
The Mariners only returned to the EFL after finishing sixth in the National League last season, and needed extra time in all three play-off games – edging past Notts County and Wrexham before overcoming Solihull Moors in the final.
“I’m in shock,” Hurst, whose side are 16th in League Two, told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I’m so delighted for the owners and the incredible away support.
“I [told the players] we could lose 10-0. I was saying I might have to bring a blindfold. It’s always the fear – if a Premier League team turns up, they can blow any League Two side away.”
He said, “We got back to the hotel last night, had some time together. We had breakfast this morning and we’ll get back on the coach and head home.
“The sentence I can’t get my head around is ‘Grimsby Town in the FA Cup quarter-finals’. That sounds a little bit ridiculous; like someone is playing Football Manager on the computer. We’re delighted, but it is surreal.
“There have been difficult times for the football club. New owners have given the town and supporters a lift.
“Since they’ve come in, it has been nothing but good times.”
