Wood aims to nail first place
The 18-year-old full-back signed his first professional contract last week, agreeing a four-year deal at Blundell Park.
And after some impressive displays while deputising for the experienced Robbie Stockdale, the Leicester-born teenager wants to stay in the side and become a permanent fixture like former skipper Bennett – who is now on loan at Peterborough.
Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph, Wood said: "I'm over the moon to get offered and sign a deal – it's a dream come true for me.
"I arrived at Grimsby from Leicester looking to do my best for the Youth team and see where that took me.
"I couldn't have imagined it would all happen so quickly that I was in the first-team and playing games regularly.
"I've settled in really quickly and that's thanks to the people around me.
"I began the season in the Youth team working with a great coach like Neil Woods and hoping, like a lot of the young lads, to follow Ryan into the first-team because he is an example of what can be achieved for all the younger players here.
"I wouldn't have dreamed that just a few weeks into the season, I'd be playing alongside him and the rest of the first-team.
"To get a professional contract is amazing and hopefully I can repay the faith the former manager showed in me because he believed in me enough to give me a chance."
Wood's first taste of the senior side was on the bench for Town's home win over Shrewsbury in December 2008.
He had to bide his time for a debut but was handed that against Darlington last month when Stockdale picked up a groin injury.
Since then he has played every game and impressed on each occasion.
It's been a rapid rise for the next of Neil Woods protégés but he admits he has a long way to go yet and is determined to keep his feet on the ground.
Wood added: "I have lots to learn but hopefully I can do that at Grimsby.
"I've had brilliant support from the fans and everyone at the club and my family is really proud.
"I want to show all of them what I can do and keep working hard.
"I've a lot to learn to keep developing my game but hopefully I will get better with time, especially training with so many good senior players.
"I'm still young but want to keep progressing and do my best for Grimsby Town."
Wood isn't the only one hoping for a bright future, with former boss Mike Newell also a fan of the teenager.
The manager said: "Bradley has done really well and it was a boost for the team.
"He's deserved his deal because he was arguably our best player when he went into the side and that's says a lot that an 18 year old has been the pick.
"He's played well and nothing has fazed him.
"He's aggressive and good in the tackle and showed that.
"He'll just keep on improving as well – his passing and choices in possession will keep getting better as he develops."
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