Wikipedia

Martin Gritton

Martin Francis Gritton (born 1 June 1978) is a Scottish former professional footballer and sports co-commentator primarily for BBC Radio Devon.

Martin Gritton
Personal information
Full name Martin Francis Gritton[1]
Date of birth (1978-06-01) 1 June 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1996–1998 Porthleven
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2002 Plymouth Argyle 44 (7)
2001 → Yeovil Town (loan) 4 (0)
2001 → Shelbourne (loan) 6 (0)
2002 → Torquay United (loan) 5 (1)
2002–2004 Torquay United 88 (22)
2004–2006 Grimsby Town 49 (6)
2006–2007 Lincoln City 27 (3)
2007 → Mansfield Town (loan) 19 (6)
2007–2009 Macclesfield Town 52 (13)
2009–2011 Chesterfield 29 (5)
2010–2011 → Torquay United (loan) 12 (0)
2011 Chester 5 (1)
2011 Yeovil Town 2 (0)
2011–2012 Stockport County 11 (0)
2012 Truro City 8 (2)
Total 361 (66)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

As a player he was a striker from 1998 to 2012. He previously played for Plymouth Argyle, Shelbourne, Torquay United, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Macclesfield Town, Chesterfield, Chester, Yeovil Town, Stockport County and Truro City

Career

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Although born in Glasgow, Gritton moved to South-West England at an early age and played for Cornish non-league sides Perranwell, Truro City,[2] and Porthleven while studying at the University of Portsmouth helping the latter reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase in 1998.[3] He impressed Plymouth Argyle manager Kevin Hodges in a trial in the summer of 1998 and joined the Pilgrims initially on a non-contract deal to allow him to complete his degree. His league debut came as a substitute on 8 August 1998 in Plymouth's 2–1 home win against Rochdale. Although doing enough to earn himself a full-time deal at Home Park, he never fully established himself in the starting line-up and was allowed out on loan, to Yeovil Town in February 2001[4] and to Irish side Shelbourne in November 2001.

In August 2002, after playing only twice in Plymouth's 2001–02 promotion side, he joined Torquay United on loan, signing permanently on a free transfer the following month. He settled in well at Plainmoor scoring 16 times in his first season and helping the Gulls to automatic promotion the following season. With Torquay struggling in the higher division and looking to cut costs he was allowed to move to Grimsby Town in December 2004 for a nominal fee.[5]

Although linked with a welcome return to Torquay United, he joined Lincoln City on 30 January 2006.[6] The timing of this move meant that he played against Torquay United in two consecutive games. He was mostly used as a substitute in the 2006–07 season due to the form of Jamie Forrester. In January 2007 he joined Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the 2006–07 season.[7] On 30 January 2007, he scored a hat-trick against his former club Torquay. He was released on a free transfer the following May, joining Macclesfield a few weeks later.[8]

On 8 January 2009, Chesterfield purchased Gritton from Macclesfield Town for a fee of £40,000 on a 2+1⁄2-year deal.[9] He re-joined former club Torquay on loan for the start of the 2010–11 season.[10] He returned to Chesterfield in January 2011 and had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.[11]

He then joined Chester F.C., and on 22 March 2011 signed on a short-term contract with Yeovil Town until the end of the 2010–11 season.[12] He was informed by the club at the end of the season that he would not be awarded a new deal.[13]

In June 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Stockport County.[14] He played eleven games for the club before being released in March 2012.[15] He subsequently joined Truro City on a non-contract basis,[16][17] scoring his first goal in a 3–0 win against Thurrock.[18]

Career statistics

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As of 2 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Plymouth Argyle 1998–99[19] Third Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
1999–2000[20] Third Division 30 6 3 0 1 1 1[a] 0 35 7
2000–01[21] Third Division 10 1 1 0 2 0 2[a] 1 15 2
2001–02[22] Third Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 44 7 4 0 3 1 3 1 54 9
Yeovil Town (loan) 2000–01[23] Football Conference 4 0 — — — 4 0
Shelbourne (loan) 2001–02[24][circular reference] League of Ireland Premier Division 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Torquay United 2002–03[25] Third Division 43 13 2 3 1 0 1[a] 0 47 16
2003–04[26] Third Division 31 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 4
2004–05[27] League One 19 6 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 22 6
Total 93 23 3 3 2 0 2 0 100 26
Grimsby Town 2004–05[28] League Two 23 4 — — 0 0 23 4
2005–06[29] League Two 26 2 1 0 2 0 1[a] 0 30 2
Total 49 6 1 0 2 0 1 0 53 6
Lincoln City 2005–06[30] League Two 10 1 — — 0 0 10 1
2006–07[31] League Two 17 2 0 0 0 0 3[b] 0 20 2
Total 27 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 30 3
Mansfield Town (loan) 2006–07[32] League Two 19 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 6
Macclesfield Town 2007–08[33] League Two 31 8 1 1 0 0 1[a] 0 33 9
2008–09[34] League Two 21 5 3 1 1 1 1[a] 0 26 7
Total 52 13 4 2 1 1 2 0 59 16
Chesterfield 2008–09[35] League Two 20 4 — — 0 0 20 4
2009–10[36] League Two 9 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 1
2010–11[37] League Two 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 29 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 30 5
Torquay United (loan) 2011–12[38] League Two 12 0 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 15 0
Chester 2010–11[39] NPL Division One North 5 1 — — 0 0 5 1
Yeovil Town 2011–12[40] League One 2 0 — 0 0 0 0 2 0
Stockport County 2011–12[41] Conference Premier 11 0 0 0 — 0 0 11 0
Truro City 2011–12[42] Conference South 8 2 0 0 — 0 0 8 2
Career total 361 66 15 5 9 2 13 1 398 74
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy and two appearances in Football League Two play-offs

Personal life

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After leaving Truro, Gritton retired from football and moved to London.

Gritton has worked as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Devon's coverage of Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United games. He has also occasionally appeared for BBC Radio Humberside covering Grimsby Town matches.[43]

His brother, Kevin, was the drummer in the 1990s indie band Adorable who were signed to Creation Records and released two albums. Martin was the band's roadie on their 2019 reunion tour.[44]

References

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  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. ^ "Truro target big name recruits". NonLeagueDaily.com. 21 May 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Legg back for Elburton's relegation battle". thisisDevon.co.uk. 4 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  4. ^ Yeovil land Gritton on loan
  5. ^ Gritton completes Grimsby switch
  6. ^ Imps sign Grimsby striker Gritton
  7. ^ Mansfield sign Conlon and Gritton
  8. ^ Gritton joins Silkmen from Imps
  9. ^ "Gritton signs deal with Spireites". BBC Sport. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Torquay United sign Martin Gritton from Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Striker Martin Gritton released by Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Yeovil Town sign Chester striker Martin Gritton". BBC Sport. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  13. ^ "Terry Skiverton offers seven new Yeovil Town deals". BBC Sport. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  14. ^ "Striker Martin Gritton joins Stockport County". BBC Sport. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  15. ^ "Gritton to move on". Stockport County FC. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  16. ^ "Truro City sign Martin Gritton on a non-contract deal". BBC Sport. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  17. ^ "New boy Gritton impresses". NonLeagueDaily.com. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ^ "Truro City beat Thurrock 3–0 to move closer to survival". BBC Sport. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Martin Gritton | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1998/1999 | 1998-2012 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Martin Gritton | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1999/2000 | 1998-2012 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Martin Gritton | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2000/2001 | 1998-2012 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Martin Gritton | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2001/2002 | 1998-2012 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Martin Gritton | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2000/2001 | 1998-2012 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  24. ^ 2001–02 Shelbourne F.C. season#Player appearances/goals
  25. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2002/2003 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2003/2004 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2004/2005 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2004/2005 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2005/2006 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2005/2006 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2006/2007 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2006/2007 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2007/2008 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2008/2009 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  35. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2008/2009 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2009/2010 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2010/2011 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  38. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2010/2011 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  39. ^ "First Team Statistics 2013/14". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  40. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2010/2011 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Kevin McIntyre | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2011/2012 | 1996-2016 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Scotland - M. Gritton - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Martin Gritton on the challenges of his Argyle commentary role". 11 September 2017.
  44. ^ Troughton, Adrian (6 June 2019). "When the head was cool – Kevin restarts his indie band career". Derby Telegraph. Pressreader. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
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