BONNER: MY MAD STORY!

From fan to boss going up

- Joe Patrick

MARK Bonner reflected on the “mad story” that led to him becoming a promotion-winning Cambridge United head coach.

Bonner watched the U’s growing up and worked his way through the ranks before taking charge last March, and victory over Grimsby secured second place in League Two and promotion to the third tier, where they last played in 2002.

Liam O’Neil’s volley in the first half set Cambridge on their way, before Wes Hoolahan and the division’s player of the year, Paul Mullin, struck after half-time.

Promotion ends a seven-year stint in League Two, while at the other end of the table Grimsby finish the season bottom and return to non-League football after five years.

Mullin finishes as the division’s highest scorer with 32 in the league, breaking the fourth-tier record for goals in a season since it was rebranded League Two in 2004.

“It’s massive,” said Bonner afterward. “We are competing well above where we were expected to be, where our resources have been this season.

“We’ve got really talented players, a couple of individuals who have done exceptionally for us. The unity and togetherness of the side’s been outstanding.