Bradford City striker Hannah hailed for impressing at Grimsby (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City striker Ross Hannah hailed for impressing at Grimsby

8:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Bantams By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Phil Parkinson today praised Ross Hannah for his “terrific” response to leaving City on loan.

Hannah has reached the end of the first month of his three-month spell with Grimsby and has made a big impression with joint-bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.

The 26-year-old striker netted on his Blue Square Premier debut at Luton and followed up with further goals against Gateshead and Alfreton.

Grimsby, whose team also include former City wingers Joe Colbeck and Scott Neilson, have won four of the six matches Hannah has played to move up to fourth.

Parkinson said: “I spoke to one of the Grimsby managers the other day and they are very pleased with him. It’s been a terrific response from Ross to score three goals and his all-round performances have been good.

“We sent someone to watch the game last Saturday but, with the scouting and resources we’ve got, it is difficult because we do a lot of match reports.

“But I’ve spoken to the Grimsby managers a few times on the phone and bumped into one at a game on Wednesday when we had a good chat.”

Hannah, who has not kicked a ball for City this term, was in demand with non-league sides after Parkinson made it clear that he could go out on loan.

Former City chief Nicky Law wanted to take him to Alfreton but Grimsby came in as they needed a replacement for last season’s top scorer Liam Hearn, who is out with a ruptured Achilles.

Hannah’s 93-day loan runs until December 22 after Grimsby’s home game with Wrexham. But City now have the option to recall him at 24-hour notice if needed.

That is why they have blocked him from playing in today’s FA Cup fourth-round qualifier against Kidderminster.

Parkinson said: “It’s a precaution for us. I don’t want to get Ross cup-tied because he might be needed by the time the next round comes.

“We let him out (on loan) when we had a lot of games and were a bit reluctant to do it. But we just wanted to be fair with him and give him some games and he’s done very well.”