The 2001-02 campaign was a season of dramatic, chaotic highs and a nail-biting fight for survival for Grimsby Town. The Mariners soared out of the gate, briefly topping the First Division and sparking ambitious promotion dreams. This euphoria was underpinned by a truly unforgettable League Cup run, which included a shock 2-1 victory over European giants Liverpool at Anfield, clinched by a sensational late strike from Phil Jevons. However, the club was hit by a devastating mid-season slump and managerial turmoil that saw Lennie Lawrence sacked, with Paul Groves stepping up as player-manager. Leading the line throughout the drama was Michael Boulding, whose 11 crucial league goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Wimbledon, ultimately proved decisive in steering the side to a hard-fought 19th-place finish and securing their second-tier status against the backdrop of the emerging ITV Digital financial crisis.