Grimsby Town: 2020 Stoke City call has helped David Artell unearth a gem - View | OneFootball

Stoke City's decision to release defender Cameron McJannet in 2020 has aided Grimsby Town and the player himself in the long run.

Left-sided defender Cameron McJannet has caught the eye during Grimsby Town's first few games of the season following his summer move from League of Ireland club Derry City.

Starting his career with Stoke City, the Mariners, boss David Artell and the player himself have all eventually benefitted from the Championship club's decision to release the 25-year-old back in 2020.

The left-footed central defender, who's also comfortable at full-back, moved to Blundell Park in June for an undisclosed fee following four successful years with the Candystripes, Northern Ireland's sole representative in the Republic's top-flight.

Preceeding his time across the Irish Sea, McJannet was initially part of the Luton Town youth setup, before being signed by Stoke, becoming a regular for the Under-18 and then Under-21 sides for the Potteries club. Despite impressing during a 2018/19 season-long loan with Curzon Ashton in the National League North, the defender failed to make the breakthrough at the bet365 Stadium, and was subsequently released in the summer of 2020.

That disappointment ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as McJannet was picked up by Derry, in time making himself a key figure at the Brandywell Stadium, becoming a leader in the dressing room and regularly captaining the side across 145 appearances in the red and white stripes.

The cultured Milton Keynes-born player's time in Ireland was a successful one for his club, too, as they competed for the league title and won the 2022 FAI Cup in emphatic fashion, beating Shelbourne 4-0 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium - McJannet getting on the scoresheet twice on the day.

Grimsby's pursuit of McJannet appears to have been well judged, and the players' development over the last four years clear to see, as both the defender and the two clubs he's played for since have reaped the benefit of Stoke's decision to let him move on in 2020.

Defender is a calming presence at the heart of the Mariners back four

While McJannet isn't necessarily the biggest of centre-backs, he's a competent competitor physically and aerially.

Where the defender excels, however, is with his reading of the game, his comfort in possession and his all-round calming presence next to the experienced Harvey Rodgers, The former Accrington Stanley player has partnered the new man at the heart of the Mariners' defence in the absence of Doug Tharme, who is in the final stages of his recovery from surgery over the summer.

McJannet and Rodgers have formed a nicely balanced pairing, and bar a difficult 25-minute spell in the second-half of Saturday's victory over Cheltenham Town, Artell's men have looked reasonably solid on the whole so far.

Having a naturally left-footed central defender makes playing out from the back, the Mariners' boss' preferred style, much easier, quicker and more seamless. It's noticeable how many of Grimsby's forward movements begin with McJannet, whose composure on the ball under pressure is a settling trait for teammates and supporters alike.

The 25-year-old has a great range of passing, and already looks like a very shrewd addition by Artell, who'll be delighted that the former Stoke man has adjusted so quickly to his new surroundings, perhaps helped by joining midway through the Irish season, meaning his fitness and match sharpness are already well primed.

Early release from clubs would benefit more young footballers

The modern era sees many Championship and Premier League clubs operating with an academy structure inclusive of multiple age group sides up to Under-23 level.

This has led to these sides hoarding many young players in the hope that a couple may make it into their first-team setup. While some of these youngsters have brief, sporadic loan spells further down the leagues, a large percentage become comfortable at Premier League 2 and academy level, reaching the age of 22 or 23 with no senior experience under their belts.

Players like McJannet, who are released that bit sooner, often gain an advantage in the long run, getting consistent game-time at a competitive level that ultimately allows them to improve, develop and move back up the pyramid. Whereas footballers released at 23 with no understanding of the senior game to fall back upon can find things much harder and drift out of the professional game.

Leaving Stoke in 2020 has been the making of McJannet. Quickly joining Derry and playing regularly in a physically demanding League of Ireland has seen him mature into an EFL-ready player, a gem unearthed by Artell to fit his possession-heavy mantra.

Though he's not just 'ready' for the Football League, he's excelling in it, and Grimsby have the Potters' 2020 decision to part with McJannet to thank for the defender ending up at Blundell Park.