Why do Grimsby fans wave inflatable fish during FA Cup games?

GRIMSBY TOWN have made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 84 years.

They knocked out Premier League side Southampton in the FA Cup 5th Round after beating them 2-1 at St Mary’s, thanks to a brace of penalties from Gavan Holohan.

Jubulent Grimsby fans during their FA Cup tie against Southampton

The League Two side travel to another Premier League outfit in Brighton for their huge FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Grimsby are sitting comfortably in 16th place in League Two, so all their focus will be on the Brighton game on March 19th.

Why do Grimsby fans wave inflatable fish?

Mariners fans have been waving inflatable fish, which supporters call Harry the Haddock, for more than 34 years.

Fans bring out Harry the Haddock for big games like their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Southampton.

The Saints initially rejected Grimsby’s request to bring Harry the Haddock to St Mary’s.

However, they later changed their mind, and Harry the Haddock made the long trip to Hampshire along with an abundance of Grimsby fans.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Haddock is back on the menu.

“Our supporters can now look forward to playing in the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996, safe in the knowledge that Harry Haddock will also be at Southampton to mark the occasion.”

Who started Harry the Haddock?

Local football writer Nigel Lowther joked about ordering some inflatable fish after a game Grimsby won.

Fans soon caught on and were soon snapping up all of the inflatable fish around the town.

The Harry the Haddock revelation came off the back of Manchester City fans taking inflatable bananas to matches.

On the opening day of the 1987 Division Two season, City fan Frank Newton took an inflatable banana with him to watch his side take on Plymouth Argyle at Maine Road.