Butler had joined the Mariners from Walsall last season

Grimsby Town have released striker Martin Butler from the remaining six months of his contract with the club.

Butler, 34, had been concerned about the 350-mile round trip he had to make from his home several times a week.

Mariners manager Mike Newell told BBC Radio Humberside: "It was a situation I inherited and needed addressing sooner rather than later".

Butler joined Grimsby on loan from Walsall in October of last year and made the move permanent in January.

It was always known the striker was making the long trip from his home town of Worcester, but the journeys became increasingly unmanageable because he was contractually obligated to attend a minimum of two training sessions per week.

I don't think I'd have had any more joy than the last manager had so the decision was made easy Grimsby manager Mike Newell

Newell claimed the decision to let him leave was an easy one to make.

"If you've got a high opinion of yourself you'd think you could work around the situation and maybe get the best out of him," he added.

"I'm not one of those with a big ego and I don't think I'd have had any more joy than the last manager [Alan Buckley] had with that situation.

"Thankfully the chairman and the club have helped make it easy as I wanted to do it straight away."

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