Grimsby Town supporters may be shocked at Bristol City developments: View | OneFootball

Attacker Sam Bell was one of a number of Bristol City players to have joined Grimsby Town on loan in recent years, alongside the likes of Ryley Towler, Owura Edwards and James Morton. Some of their stays at Blundell Park were more successful than others, but Bell is the only one of them to force their way into the first-team reckoning with the Championship Robins.

Bell only made four appearances for the Mariners after signing on a short-term loan in November 2021, scoring once in a 3-2 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge, and while the forward looked lively and capable during his time with the Mariners, there was little to suggest that he'd go on to establish himself so quickly as a first-team regular for his second-tier parent club.

In fairness, the young forward's spell at Blundell Park came during a difficult time in what would eventually end up being a successful season. Paul Hurst's Mariners had got off to a blistering start in the National League, topping the table early in the campaign. However, a poor run throughout the late autumn and winter months saw Grimsby fall off the pace and drop outside the play-off positions.

Hurst's side were falling on the wrong side of results, in contrast to the opening third of the season, and Bell's fleeting appearances in the black and white stripes came as the Mariners were lacking a little bit of confidence, which was affecting performances a little. It was a tough time for any youngster to come in and look to make an instant impact.

Bell certainly showed glimpses of his talent, proving himself to be a quick, energetic player with a determined edge to his game. He looked like a prospect that would need more game-time in the senior game to further develop his skill-set. Few Grimsby fans, however, would have expected that experience and regular first-team opportunities to come at Championship level so soon after his temporary stay in North East Lincolnshire.

Bell has gone from strength to strength with Robins

City have become a club more than willing to give youth a chance in recent times, with the likes of Tommy Conway and Alex Scott (now at Premier League club Bournemouth) breaking through from the academy and under-23's ranks at the club to become key players. Bell has followed suit, making 66 appearances for the side his father, defender Mickey Bell, used to play for, scoring eight goals in the process.

Bell has excelled in the wide attacking areas, usually cutting in from the left to use his effervescent energy to cause his opposing full-back problems, creating for the central striker, pressing effectively and providing a great option when his side look to counter.

The 21-year-old has been out injured since February, and will undoubtedly be looking to add more goals to his game when he returns, but Bell has firmly established himself as part of the first-team setup for Liam Manning's side, and there's every chance the youngster will carry on his progression and reach higher performance levels like the aforementioned Conway and Scott in the coming years.

Bell one of many talented youngsters to spend time on loan with Grimsby in 2021/22

The Mariners' 2021/22 season was a roller coaster of emotions, ending in an incredible play-off triumph that saw them overcome Notts County, Wrexham and Solihull Moors respectively to regain their place in the Football League.

At various stages throughout the campaign, manager Paul Hurst (now boss at League One Shrewsbury Town) acquired the services of ten loan players, many of whom have gone on to play at higher levels already, showing the grounding of their time on the south bank of the Humber was beneficial for all parties.

While Will Bapaga, Tristan Abrahams and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe now ply their trade in non-league, many of the younger players who spent time with the Mariners during their 2021/22 campaign remain on the books of Championship (or higher) clubs. Defender Andy Smith spent the first half of the current season as part of Hull's first-team squad before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at League One Cheltenham Town. Fellow Hull man Callum Jones spent the season in League Two with Forest Green Rovers.

Sebastian Revan is still with Premier League Aston Villa, though he spent the majority of this season with Rotherham United of the Championship, while his former Villa colleague Arjan Raikhy has moved on to Championship winners Leicester City. Alex Hunt joined the Mariners on a permanent basis from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer transfer window of 2022, but has struggled for consistency and was loaned to National League side York City in February. Now with League One champions Portsmouth, defender Ryley Towler will get the opportunity to become a regular in the second tier next season.

It's Bell, however, who has gone on to reach consistent heights the others are yet to get to, and while, based on his time with the Mariners, fans of Grimsby Town may find that a little surprising, the young forward has every opportunity to forge himself a long career in the game at very high levels