Who is coming to Edgar Street?

Since Graham Turner stated he was in contact with four possible new signings, speculation has heightened about the possibiltiy of Stacy (or Stacey) Coldicott, just released by Grimsby, being one of them.

Earlier this week Turner was quoted by the Hereford Journal:

I have also got four offers on other players, a central defender, left back, central midfielder and a wide right player. We are still also looking at a striker," he told the Hereford Journal.

On Thursday Turner confirmed that he had signed Jon Brady who is a wide right player and it's just possible that Stacy Coldicott could be the central midfielder he has in mind.

Russell Slade, the Grimsby manager, has told BBC Humberside that Coldicott will not feature in his plans for next season after rejecting an offer to stay at the Mariners.

Slade now believes it's time for him to look elsewhere as he tries to build a squad in time for the start of next season: "Stacey's probably in the same situation as Anthony (Williams - their ex-goalkeeper who has moved to Carlisle). We've had time. We're unable to improve the offer that we've made to Stacey and I'm sure that he will be weighing up his options.

"I have to move on, I have to build the squad. Stacey and Anthony are good professionals and they're aware of that situation, and they're aware that I've got to build a team as well as they've got to look for the best deal for themselves."

Stacey Coldicott was born in Worcestershire and worked his way through the youth ranks at West Bromwich after joining as a trainee. He was at the Hawthorns for seven seasons although he was loaned out to Cardiff City for a short spell in autumn 1996.

After Grimsby returned to the first division in 1998, he was signed from West Brom for about £125,000 and has made over 160 League appearances for the Mariners.

Coldicott,a 5ft 11in midfielder weighing just over 11 stone, will be known to John Trewick, the Hereford United coach, as they will have been at West Bromwich together in the mid-ninties.

Grimsby Town Mad have this profile on Coldicott dated 29th January 2004:

Defensive midfielder who's hard work often goes unrecognised.

Now in his sixth season with the club after a £200,000 transfer from West Brom.
Stace's play is unspectacular and he often finds himself scapegoat of the fans, unfairly so as well. What Coldicott does bring to the team is a steady presence in midfield. Stace is never one to bomb forward and leave gaps at the back. Instead he allows the likes of Alan Pouton to go forward and cover their defensive duties. An on form Pinault-Coldicott combination is a sight to behold as the pair out battle and tackle opposition midfield's

Stace is a regular member of the 16, although not always the 11. Having broke his leg last season and missing the pre-season, Coldicott will relish the battle to get back into the first team, especially with the new competition in midfield.

There is no knowing at this stage whether Graham Turner has even spoken to Coldicott, let alone offered him a deal, but he does seem to be the kind of player needed to beef up the midfield.

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