By Paul Holmes
July 11 2002

Grimsby Town have placed Danny Coyne and Phil Jevons on the transfer list for financial reasons. Grimsby are in financial worry at the moment following the collapse of ITV Digital, a large chunk of their income. The new TV deal has given them some breathing space but not a lot. Yesterday the players refused delayed payments of apperance fees, this is likely to have triggered the decision to sell the duo in a need for cash.

Coyne will not struggle to attract interest with Aston Villa and Sunderland having him watched several times last season. However Sunderland have just bought Thomas Myhre and are unlikley to purchase another keeper. Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor may well decide Coyne is for him, the former England boss is not afraid of buying Nationwide players for the Premiership, just 3 days ago he took Grimsby's Michael Boulding to Villa.

Former Grimsby boss, Lennie Lawrance, now manager of 2nd Division Cardiff may also be interested in Coyne who he rates as one of the best keepers he's ever worked with. Whether Coyne is prepared to drop a division is unknown but playing in Wales would give his international hopes a boost. Coyne has previously admitted on several occasions that he loves playing for Grimsby, the fans and the area. The fans love him as well voting him Player of the Year for the last two seasons.

Scouser Phil Jevons has only been at Blundell Park a year following his move from Everton but Grimsby boss Paul Groves sees him as a player who can raise funds. The sale of Jevons would not dissapoint the fans as much as the sale of Coyne but it would leave the squad even weaker.

Speaking to the clubs official website Grimsby boss Paul Groves spoke of the regretful decision "I am bitterly disappointed and it must be made clear that this is not a decision based on football. It is about money," he told Mariners Net. "I spoke to both Danny and Phil last night and got the players together this morning to tell them the news. The lads are gutted but the whole thing is dictated by finance."

No suggested fee has been mentioned but with Grimsby seemingly needing a quick sale it looks like any serious offer would be considered.