Pouton only scored once the following season, but he managed to pick up nine bookings as he started to pick up a reputation as a tough tackler. Grimsby Town At the beginning of the 1999-2000 season, Grimsby Town made an approach to take Pouton on loan. Despite not starting a game during his month-long loan spell, Pouton impressed sufficiently in his six substitute appearances to prompt Grimsby to pay £150,000 to secure him on a permanent basis. Upon signing, Pouton became a first team regular and went on to play in the majority of Grimsby's games that season. Surprisingly, in hindsight, Pouton only picked up two bookings that season in 41 games. His first goal for Grimsby (and only goal of the season) was an equaliser at Blundell Park, Pouton volleyed in at the far post after Nicky Weaver parried Lee Ashcroft's cross in a 1–1 draw with Manchester City. Over the next three seasons, Pouton was booked 18 times and sent off twice. Despite his occasional lapses in discipline, Pouton was generally a success at Grimsby, and although he was not noted for his goals, he still managed eleven goals including a hat-trick in the 6–2 home win against Wimbledon (although two of those goals were penalties). He became a cult hero for his Never Say Die attitude, and his repeat step-overs, although he suffered increasing disciplinary problems, missing many games through a combination of injury and suspension. In the 2002-03 season, Grimsby were relegated to Division Two after finishing bottom of Division One. Injury prevented Pouton from playing until December and he only then played five times before leaving the club to free up finances. Gillingham Gillingham signed Pouton initially on loan, they eventually paid £30,000 to sign him on a permanent basis. Pouton did reasonably well in a season in which Gillingham narrowly survived relegation, staying up by one goal whilst Walsall were relegated instead. The next season was poor by Pouton's standards. He started the season on loan to Hartlepool United, for whom he played six times and scored in the 3–3 draw with Hull City in the Football League Trophy (Hartlepool won 4–1 on penalties). He returned to Gillingham, but only played a handful of games (twelve) as Gillingham were finally relegated. The 2005-06 season was better for Pouton as he re-established himself in midfield. He played in the opening day victory over Colchester United