Grimsby Town will have regret as Rotherham, Bolton and more circle ex-player: View | OneFootball

Former Grimsby Town striker Harry Cardwell's form in the National League with Southend United has attracted the interest of a host of EFL clubs, and while his time with the Mariners proved difficult for the former Scotland youth international, his development shows the potential was always there, and that his spell at Blundell Park was, perhaps, a case of 'wrong place, wrong time'.

20-year-old Cardwell joined Grimsby in the summer of 2017, having suitably impressed then manager Russell Slade during a trial period with the club following his release from Reading. Having spent time on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion's Under-23's and non-league clubs Woking and Braintree Town, he was looking to make his way in the professional game by signing a two-year contract at Blundell Park.

The Beverly-born frontman was still very much a work in progress, though, and while he made a contribution when called upon, he never really established himself with the Mariners consistently. Cardwell was never lacking in terms of effort, but hadn't yet grasped the fundamentals of being the lower league target man his 6ft 3' frame suggested he was capable of.

Too often overpowered by aggressive central defenders, sections of the Grimsby support grew frustrated by the forward, critical of his lack of end product, and in-turn, the strikers' confidence began to clearly suffer as a consequence. Cardwell spent three years at Blundell Park overall, but scored just three goals in total in that time as he struggled to make a consistent impact in a limited Mariners side.

Following a very brief loan spell at National League North side Chorley towards the end of his stay in North East Lincolnshire, Cardwell joined the Magpies permanently upon his release from the League Two club in 2020. A move which appears to have been a wise one, as from that point the strikers' game seems to have progressed, along with his goalscoring prowess.

Perhaps being a regular first choice for the sixth-tier side allowed Cardwell the opportunity to hone and develop the aforementioned skill-set required from a forward of his type. How to handle tough central defenders and get the better of them. How to use his body and link up with teammates. Bulking up a little physically would have helped in this regard, too.

Cardwell improved considerably at Chorley. He became a genuine threat; one which his colleagues could rely upon at crucial times. The striker also spent some time on loan with then National League side Stockport County in 2021 after Covid-19 halted the season for all clubs below the fifth-tier, again making a useful contribution.

His form with both Chorley and Stockport earned the Scottish forward a move to National Leage side Southend United in January 2022, and the former Hull City and Reading youngster has again kicked-on to new levels, blossoming into a very effective target man at Roots Hall, scoring goals at aplenty, while offering the focal point for his side at the top end of the pitch; his height, physicality, and a reasonable turn of pace marking him out as one of the top strikers currently operating outside the EFL.

This season in particular has, perhaps, been the best of Cardwell's career, the mobile 27-year-old scoring 18 league goals as the Shrimpers fell just short of securing a play-off spot for a Football League return, an achievement in itself given what has been a turbulent time off the field for Kevin Maher's men.

Averaging a ratio of just under a goal every two games in a Blues shirt this campaign, alongside the aforementioned hold-up attributes Cardwell now possesses, has caught the attention of clubs higher up the pyramid. As per Football Insider, the likes of Rotherham United, Bolton Wanderers, Oxford United, Gillingham and Exeter City have recently been linked with a summer move for the Scotsman, and as the season begins to wind down and pre-season plans begin, a move back to the EFL seems only a matter of time for the big frontman.

While Cardwell struggled a little during his time at Blundell Park, there are definite explanations for that. The forward was still very green and inexperienced. He clearly had a useful skill-set upon joining, but needed more stable guidance from his colleagues at that time and more trust from management in terms of first-team opportunities to help that flourish into something more tangible for the supporters to see on the pitch.

Confidence is a huge factor for strikers, particularly those starting out in their professional career. Perhaps playing under defensive, attritional managers such as Russell Slade and Michael Jolley did the youngster few favours, as chances created were far from plentiful during Cardwell's three-year stay on the east coast. It was certainly a difficult time for a young striker to break through and excel at the club.

Having dropped down the divisions a little, becoming first-choice, growing physically, getting those games under his belt, learning the importance of his role, how to best help his side at certain times, and most importantly - affecting football matches, has seen what was a somewhat timid rookie become a confident, assertive forward heading into the peak of his career.

While there will be no regrets in terms of Grimsby letting the striker leave when they did in 2020, it was the right thing to do for both the club and the player at the time, there will be some disappointment at how the Mariners failed to improve the forward over those three years, and how Cardwell, perhaps, arrived at Blundell Park too early in his career to be a realistic long-term success in a black and white shirt.

Given the reported level of interest, and the fact Cardwell will be 28 in October, it's reasonable to assume a summer move is imminent for the centre forward. Where he ends up, though, is still uncertain, with a selection of variables coming into consideration.

Of the clubs thought to be tracking the striker, Rotherham have changed managers in the last week or so, replacing Leam Richardson with Steve Evans, who rejoins for a second spell in charge of the Millers having guided Stevenage to the top half of League One. Already relegated Rotherham will join Evans' former employers in the third-tier next season, but will the change of manager see their interest in Cardwell cool at all?

Bolton are fighting for promotion to the Championship, and, likewise, Oxford United are pushing for the same prize as they look to secure a play-off place. Should either or both be promoted to the second-tier, will they turn their attentions to other targets that become attainable at the higher level?

Exeter are ending the season strongly, and are set for a mid-table finish in League One. At this moment in time, they perhaps seem the most viable option for Cardwell, should he make a move in the coming months. Gillingham's proximity to the Southend-on-Sea area could work in their favour in terms of location, but their League Two status could count against them when in direct competition with those higher up the footballing pyramid.

It is, of course, very possible that other clubs may come calling in a pre-season swoop for the much sought-after striker, but wherever that next destination may be, it appears more than likely we'll be seeing the former Mariner make a move back to the Football League very soon. That will, perhaps, leave a hint of regret.