Paul Groves
| Date of birth | 28 February 1966 |
| Place of birth | Derby |
| Nationality | English |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Position | Defender/Midfielder |
Having spent part of the 1999-2000 campaign covering for injuries in the centre of defence, Paul remained in his new role for Grimsby Town for virtually all of 2000-01, forming an effective partnership with Chinese international Zhang Enhua.
The Mariners' club captain and a model professional, he performed with his customary coolness, always appearing in command of the situation.
Fittingly it was Paul who scored the goal that gave Grimsby a 1-0 victory over champions Fulham on the final day of the season, thus ensuring beyond doubt that the club would retain First Division status.
Paul was relieved of his managerial duties at Grimsby Town on 9 February 2004 but remained on the playing staff at Blundell Park prior to moving to Scunthorpe United for the remainder of the 2003-04 season.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton Albion | 01 Jul 1987 | 18 Apr 1988 | |
| Leicester City | 18 Apr 1988 | 25 Jan 1990 | |
| Lincoln City | 20 Aug 1989 | 08 Oct 1989 | L |
| Blackpool | 25 Jan 1990 | 12 Aug 1992 | |
| Grimsby Town | 12 Aug 1992 | 08 Jul 1996 | |
| West Bromwich Albion | 08 Jul 1996 | 21 Jul 1997 | |
| Grimsby Town | 21 Jul 1997 | 30 Mar 2004 | |
| Scunthorpe United | 30 Mar 2004 | 30 Jun 2004 | |
| York City | 01 Jul 2004 | 30 Jun 2005 | |
| Stafford Rangers | 22 Jul 2005 | 30 Jun 2006 |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-88 | Leicester City | League Division Two | 1 |
1 |
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| 1988-89 | Leicester City | FA Cup | 1 |
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| 1988-89 | Leicester City | League Cup | 1 | 1 |
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| 1988-89 | Leicester City | League Division Two | 7 | 8 |
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| 1994-95 | Grimsby Town | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1996-97 | West Bromwich Albion | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1996-97 | West Bromwich Albion | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
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| 1997-98 | Grimsby Town | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1997-98 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 4 | 2 |
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| 1998-99 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1999-00 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Grimsby Town | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 4 |
1
|
|||
| 2000-01 | Grimsby Town | League Division 1 | 45 | 4 |
2
|
1
|
|
| 2001-02 | Grimsby Town | FA Cup | 2 |
1
|
|||
| 2001-02 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 4 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Grimsby Town | League Division 1 | 43 | 2 |
7
|
||
| 2002-03 | Grimsby Town | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Grimsby Town | League Division 1 | 32 | 3 |
3 |
3
|
|
| 2003-04 | Grimsby Town | League Cup | 1 |
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| 2003-04 | Grimsby Town | League Division 2 | 7 | 4 |
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| 2003-04 | Scunthorpe United | League Division 3 | 13 | 3 |
1
|
||
| 2004-05 | York City | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Jan 1995 | Grimsby Town v Norwich City | L | 0-1 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 17 Sep 1997 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 2-0 | League Cup | 2nd round 1st leg |
| 01 Oct 1997 | Sheffield Wednesday v Grimsby Town | L |
3-2 Agg: 3-4 |
League Cup | 2nd round 2nd leg |
| 14 Oct 1997 | Grimsby Town v Leicester City | W | 3-1 | League Cup | 3rd round |
| 18 Nov 1997 | Liverpool v Grimsby Town | L | 3-0 | League Cup | 4th round |
| 24 Jan 1998 | Leeds United v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 27 Oct 1998 | Sunderland v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Cup | 3rd round |
| 13 Oct 1999 | Leicester City v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Cup | 3rd round |
| 12 Aug 2000 | Grimsby Town v Preston North End | L | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 19 Aug 2000 | Portsmouth v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Aug 2000 | Grimsby Town v Carlisle United | W | 2-0 | League Cup | 1st round 1st leg |
| 26 Aug 2000 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield Wednesday | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Aug 2000 | Crewe Alexandra v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 05 Sep 2000 | Carlisle United v Grimsby Town | D |
1-1 Agg: 1-3 |
League Cup | 1st round 2nd leg |
| 09 Sep 2000 | Grimsby Town v Gillingham | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 12 Sep 2000 | Grimsby Town v Bolton Wanderers | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Sep 2000 | Burnley v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Sep 2000 | Grimsby Town v Nottingham Forest | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Sep 2000 | Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 3-2 | League Cup | 2nd round 1st leg |
| 30 Sep 2000 | Barnsley v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 02 Oct 2000 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Grimsby Town | L |
2-0 Agg: 4-3 |
League Cup | 1st round 2nd leg |
| 14 Oct 2000 | Grimsby Town v Huddersfield Town | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Oct 2000 | Grimsby Town v Queens Park Rangers | W | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Oct 2000 | Blackburn Rovers v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 24 Oct 2000 | Crystal Palace v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Oct 2000 | Grimsby Town v West Bromwich Albion | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Nov 2000 | Watford v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 18 Nov 2000 | Sheffield United v Grimsby Town | L | 3-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Nov 2000 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Nov 2000 | Fulham v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Dec 2000 | Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Dec 2000 | Wimbledon v Grimsby Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Dec 2000 | Grimsby Town v Norwich City | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Dec 2000 | Preston North End v Grimsby Town | W | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Dec 2000 | Grimsby Town v Stockport County | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Jan 2001 | Sheffield Wednesday v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 06 Jan 2001 | Wycombe Wanderers v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 13 Jan 2001 | Grimsby Town v Crewe Alexandra | L | 1-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 20 Jan 2001 | Stockport County v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 27 Jan 2001 | Grimsby Town v Portsmouth | W | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Feb 2001 | Gillingham v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Feb 2001 | Grimsby Town v Burnley | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 20 Feb 2001 | Bolton Wanderers v Grimsby Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 24 Feb 2001 | Nottingham Forest v Grimsby Town | L | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 03 Mar 2001 | Grimsby Town v Barnsley | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 06 Mar 2001 | Huddersfield Town v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Mar 2001 | Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Mar 2001 | Grimsby Town v Wimbledon | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Mar 2001 | Queens Park Rangers v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 20 Mar 2001 | Grimsby Town v Birmingham City | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 31 Mar 2001 | Norwich City v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 07 Apr 2001 | Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers | W | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 14 Apr 2001 | Grimsby Town v Watford | W | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Apr 2001 | West Bromwich Albion v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Apr 2001 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield United | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 24 Apr 2001 | Grimsby Town v Blackburn Rovers | L | 1-4 | League Division 1 | |
| 28 Apr 2001 | Birmingham City v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 06 May 2001 | Grimsby Town v Fulham | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 11 Aug 2001 | Grimsby Town v Crewe Alexandra | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 18 Aug 2001 | West Bromwich Albion v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Aug 2001 | Grimsby Town v Lincoln City | W | 2-1 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 25 Aug 2001 | Grimsby Town v Preston North End | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 27 Aug 2001 | Portsmouth v Grimsby Town | L | 4-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Sep 2001 | Grimsby Town v Barnsley | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 08 Sep 2001 | Coventry City v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 11 Sep 2001 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield United | W | 3-3 (4-2) | League Cup | 2nd round |
| 15 Sep 2001 | Grimsby Town v Nottingham Forest | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 18 Sep 2001 | Crystal Palace v Grimsby Town | L | 5-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Sep 2001 | Stockport County v Grimsby Town | D | 3-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Sep 2001 | Grimsby Town v Gillingham | L | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Sep 2001 | Bradford City v Grimsby Town | L | 3-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 05 Oct 2001 | Grimsby Town v Rotherham United | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Oct 2001 | Liverpool v Grimsby Town | W | 1-2 | League Cup | 3rd round |
| 13 Oct 2001 | Sheffield United v Grimsby Town | L | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 20 Oct 2001 | Grimsby Town v Watford | L | 0-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Oct 2001 | Manchester City v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 03 Nov 2001 | Wimbledon v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Nov 2001 | Sheffield Wednesday v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Nov 2001 | Grimsby Town v Millwall | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Nov 2001 | Burnley v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 27 Nov 2001 | Arsenal v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Cup | 4th round |
| 01 Dec 2001 | Grimsby Town v Manchester City | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 07 Dec 2001 | Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 15 Dec 2001 | Walsall v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Dec 2001 | Preston North End v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Dec 2001 | Grimsby Town v Coventry City | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Dec 2001 | Grimsby Town v Portsmouth | W | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Jan 2002 | Barnsley v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 05 Jan 2002 | Grimsby Town v York City | D | 0-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 12 Jan 2002 | Grimsby Town v West Bromwich Albion | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 15 Jan 2002 | York City v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round replay |
| 19 Jan 2002 | Crewe Alexandra v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 29 Jan 2002 | Rotherham United v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Feb 2002 | Watford v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Feb 2002 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield United | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Feb 2002 | Nottingham Forest v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Feb 2002 | Grimsby Town v Stockport County | W | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 02 Mar 2002 | Grimsby Town v Crystal Palace | W | 5-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 05 Mar 2002 | Gillingham v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Mar 2002 | Grimsby Town v Walsall | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 16 Mar 2002 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Mar 2002 | Grimsby Town v Wimbledon | W | 6-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 30 Mar 2002 | Birmingham City v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Apr 2002 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield Wednesday | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 06 Apr 2002 | Norwich City v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Apr 2002 | Grimsby Town v Burnley | W | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Apr 2002 | Millwall v Grimsby Town | L | 3-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Aug 2002 | Norwich City v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 13 Aug 2002 | Grimsby Town v Wimbledon | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Aug 2002 | Grimsby Town v Derby County | L | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 24 Aug 2002 | Bradford City v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Aug 2002 | Grimsby Town v Portsmouth | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 31 Aug 2002 | Millwall v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Sep 2002 | Grimsby Town v Chesterfield | L | 0-1 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 14 Sep 2002 | Coventry City v Grimsby Town | L | 3-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 17 Sep 2002 | Sheffield United v Grimsby Town | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Sep 2002 | Grimsby Town v Nottingham Forest | L | 0-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 28 Sep 2002 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Grimsby Town | W | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Nov 2002 | Stoke City v Grimsby Town | W | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 23 Nov 2002 | Crystal Palace v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 30 Nov 2002 | Grimsby Town v Leicester City | L | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 14 Dec 2002 | Preston North End v Grimsby Town | L | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 26 Dec 2002 | Derby County v Grimsby Town | W | 1-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 28 Dec 2002 | Grimsby Town v Norwich City | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Jan 2003 | Grimsby Town v Burnley | D | 2-2 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 11 Jan 2003 | Wimbledon v Grimsby Town | D | 3-3 | League Division 1 | |
| 14 Jan 2003 | Burnley v Grimsby Town | L | 4-0 | FA Cup | 3rd round replay |
| 18 Jan 2003 | Grimsby Town v Millwall | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 25 Jan 2003 | Grimsby Town v Bradford City | L | 1-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Feb 2003 | Portsmouth v Grimsby Town | L | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 08 Feb 2003 | Grimsby Town v Stoke City | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 15 Feb 2003 | Gillingham v Grimsby Town | L | 3-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Feb 2003 | Ipswich Town v Grimsby Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 01 Mar 2003 | Grimsby Town v Coventry City | L | 0-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 Mar 2003 | Grimsby Town v Sheffield United | L | 1-4 | League Division 1 | |
| 10 Mar 2003 | Nottingham Forest v Grimsby Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 15 Mar 2003 | Grimsby Town v Watford | W | 1-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 18 Mar 2003 | Rotherham United v Grimsby Town | W | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 22 Mar 2003 | Burnley v Grimsby Town | D | 1-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 05 Apr 2003 | Leicester City v Grimsby Town | L | 2-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 08 Apr 2003 | Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 12 Apr 2003 | Grimsby Town v Crystal Palace | L | 1-4 | League Division 1 | |
| 19 Apr 2003 | Sheffield Wednesday v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 1 | |
| 21 Apr 2003 | Grimsby Town v Walsall | L | 0-1 | League Division 1 | |
| 04 May 2003 | Grimsby Town v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 | |
| 09 Aug 2003 | Plymouth Argyle v Grimsby Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 12 Aug 2003 | Doncaster Rovers v Grimsby Town | L | 3-2 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 16 Aug 2003 | Grimsby Town v Port Vale | L | 1-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 23 Aug 2003 | Luton Town v Grimsby Town | W | 1-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 25 Aug 2003 | Grimsby Town v Wycombe Wanderers | W | 3-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 30 Aug 2003 | Bristol City v Grimsby Town | L | 1-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 06 Sep 2003 | Grimsby Town v Peterborough United | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 12 Sep 2003 | Hartlepool United v Grimsby Town | L | 8-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 22 Nov 2003 | Brentford v Grimsby Town | W | 1-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 10 Jan 2004 | Grimsby Town v Plymouth Argyle | D | 0-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 17 Jan 2004 | Port Vale v Grimsby Town | L | 5-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 08 Feb 2004 | Oldham Athletic v Grimsby Town | L | 6-0 | League Division 2 | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.