Gainsborough Trinity are an English football club, based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304 (504 seated, 3,800 standing). They are known as "Trinity" or the "Blues".

History

The club was formed in 1873 by the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church, and was originally known as Trinity Recreationalists. In 1899 they joined the Midland Counties League, and finished 7th in their first season. In the 1890/91 season the club finished as Champions, and following a second place finish in the next season, the club was elected to the Second Division of The Football League.

After several years of struggle, the club was voted out of the league in 1912, being replaced by local rivals Lincoln City, and returned to the Midland Counties League. During the 1940s, the club recorded its record attendance, when 9,760 saw a match against local rivals Scunthorpe United. The club won three Championships (1928, 1949, 1967) before becoming founder members of the newly-created Northern Premier League in 1969, where it remained until 2004.

At the end of the 2003/4 season, the club finished in a high enough position to become founder members of the newly-created Conference North.

As a non-league club, Trinity have recorded five wins against Football League opposition (a feat known in English football as giant-killing). Victories were recorded against Crewe Alexandra in 1928 and 1931, Port Vale in 1937, Gateshead in 1938 and Mansfield Town in 1946.

Trinity claim to be one of the few English clubs never to have experienced a relegation, as they were voted out of the Football League rather than being directly relegated.

Famous Players/Managers

• Jackie Morton (went on to play for West Ham United and England)
• Ronnie Sewell (went on to play for Burnley and England)
• Fred Spicksley (went on to play for Sheffield Wednesday and England)
• Neil Warnock (went on to manage Notts County and Sheffield United amongst others).

External links

• Gainsborough Trinity Official Website

1873 establishments | English football clubs | Football Conference | Sport in Lincolnshire