On this day in 1980, the Mariners required just a victory over Sheffield United to secure the third division Championship and did so at a cantor, leading the way 3-0 before the break. Town had been told by manager George Kerr to 'enjoy themselves' and they certainly did.
Town took the lead through a lively Joe Waters goal after a mazy run from midfield and they were so positive in attack.
The man of the hour, Kevin Drinkell, rounded off a class season with a hat-trick which gave him 17 league and cup goals.
It was the clubs' best attendance in seven years with a crowed of 19,276 and the home side was noisy throughout - a pitch invasion preceded the final whistle as the Mariners returned to Division Two after a fifteen-year absence.
The Teams
| Grimsby Town | vs. | Sheffield United |
| Batch | 1 | Richardson |
| D. Moore | 2 | Cutbush |
| K. Moore | 3 | Tibbott |
| Waters | 4 | Kenworthy |
| Wigginton | 5 | A. Moore |
| Crombie | 6 | Matthews |
| Brolly | 7 | de Goey |
| Ford | 8 | Speight |
| Drinkell | 9 | Brown |
| Mitchell | 10 | Sabella |
| Cumming | 11 | Wiggan |
| Stone (10) | Sub | Charles (7) |
Attendance: 19,276
