Martin Francis Gritton (born 1 June 1978) is a Scottish former professional footballer and sports co-commentator primarily for BBC Radio Devon.
As a player he was a striker from 1998 to 2012. He previously played for Plymouth Argyle, Shelbourne, Torquay United, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Macclesfield Town, Chesterfield, Chester, Yeovil Town, Stockport County and Truro City
Career Although born in Glasgow, Gritton moved to South-West England at an early age and played for Cornish non-league sides Perranwell, Truro City, and Porthleven while studying at the University of Portsmouth helping the latter reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase in 1998. He impressed Plymouth Argyle manager Kevin Hodges in a trial in the summer of 1998 and joined the Pilgrims initially on a non-contract deal to allow him to complete his degree. His league debut came as a substitute on 8 August 1998 in Plymouth's 2–1 home win against Rochdale. Although doing enough to earn himself a full-time deal at Home Park, he never fully established himself in the starting line-up and was allowed out on loan, to Yeovil Town in February 2001 and to Irish side Shelbourne in November 2001.
In August 2002, after playing only twice in Plymouth's 2001–02 promotion side, he joined Torquay United on loan, signing permanently on a free transfer the following month. He settled in well at Plainmoor scoring 16 times in his first season and helping the Gulls to automatic promotion the following season. With Torquay struggling in the higher division and looking to cut costs he was allowed to move to Grimsby Town in December 2004 for a nominal fee.
Although linked with a welcome return to Torquay United, he joined Lincoln City on 30 January 2006. The timing of this move meant that he played against Torquay United in two consecutive games. He was mostly used as a substitute in the 2006–07 season due to the form of Jamie Forrester and Mark Stallard. In January 2007 he joined Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the 2006–07 season. On 30 January 2007, he scored a hat-trick against his former club Torquay. He was released on a free transfer the following May, joining Macclesfield a few weeks later.
On 8 January 2009, Chesterfield purchased Gritton from Macclesfield Town for a fee of £40,000 on a -year deal. He re-joined former club Torquay on loan for the start of the 2010–11 season. He returned to Chesterfield in January 2011 and had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.
He then joined Chester F.C., and on 22 March 2011 signed on a short-term contract with Yeovil Town until the end of the 2010–11 season. He was informed by the club at the end of the season that he would not be awarded a new deal.
In June 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Stockport County. He played eleven games for the club before being released in March 2012. He subsequently joined Truro City on a non-contract basis, scoring his first goal in a 3–0 win against Thurrock.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPlymouth Argyle1998–99Third Division20000000201999–2000Third Division30630111Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy03572000–01Third Division1011020211522001–02Third Division2000000020Total447403131549Yeovil Town (loan)2000–01Football Conference40———40Shelbourne (loan)2001–022001–02 Shelbourne F.C. season#Player appearances/goalsLeague of Ireland Premier Division6020000080Torquay United2002–03Third Division431323101047162003–04Third Division3140000003142004–05League One196101010226Total932333202010026Grimsby Town2004–05League Two234——002342005–06League Two262102010302Total496102010536Lincoln City2005–06League Two101——001012006–07League Two17200003One appearance in Football League Trophy and two appearances in Football League Two play-offs0202Total273000030303Mansfield Town (loan)2006–07League Two196000000196Macclesfield Town2007–08League Two3181100103392008–09League Two215311110267Total52134211205916Chesterfield2008–09League Two204——002042009–10League Two910010001012010–11League Two00—000000Total295001000305Torquay United (loan)2011–12League Two120100020150Chester2010–11NPL Division One North51——0051Yeovil Town2011–12League One20—000020Stockport County2011–12Conference Premier11000—00110Truro City2011–12Conference South8200—0082Career total361661559213139874
Personal life After leaving Truro, Gritton retired from football and moved to London.
Gritton has worked as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Devon's coverage of Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United games. He has also occasionally appeared for BBC Radio Humberside covering Grimsby Town matches.
His brother, Kevin, was the drummer in the 1990s indie band Adorable who were signed to Creation Records and released two albums.
References
External links