Martin Francis Gritton (born 1 June 1978) is a Scottish professional footballer, currently playing for Chesterfield.

[edit] Career

Although born in Glasgow, Gritton moved to South-West England at an early age and was playing for Cornish non-league side Porthleven while studying at the University of Portsmouth. 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 the 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^[1] 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.^[2]

Although linked with a return to Torquay United, he joined Lincoln City on January 30 2006.^[3]. 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. In January 2007 he joined Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the 2006-07 season.^[4] On January 30, 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.^[5]

On 8 January 2009, Chesterfield purchased Gritton from Macclesfield Town for a fee of £40,000 on a 2 and a half year deal.

[edit] Family

Gritton is the brother of former Adorable drummer Kevin Gritton.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Martin Gritton's career stats at Soccerbase
• Unofficial Martin Gritton Profile at The Forgotten Imp