Gainsborough Trinity have announced their 2025/26 pre-season schedule as they brace themselves for another season in the Northern Premier League.
The Holy Blues prepare for a season in which they hope to take the next step forward under ex- Doncaster Rovers defender Russ Wilcox and achieve their goal of finishing inside the play-off places, having missed out by just five points last season.
Last term was successful for Wilcox’s men as they notably reached the second round of the FA cup for the first time in 72 years, whilst also progressing to the round of 16 in the FA Trophy against all the odds.
Gainsborough’s season begins with seven pre-season fixtures between July 8 and August 2, including clashes against Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United and Lincoln City at the KAL Group Stadium.
The side will also travel to face Club Thorne Collieries, Bottesford Town and Brighouse Town, with the final game on August 2 being a home game against a team yet to be confirmed.
Club Thorne Collieries: Tuesday 8th July (A)
Gainsborough kick pre-season off with a visit to the Chesterfield Poultry Stadium to face Doncaster based side Club Thorne Collieries.
The Colls play their football in the NCEL Division One, winning promotion back to division for the first time in 38 years in the 2023/24 season.
Club Thorne have now cemented themselves as a solid step six side, securing a comfortable 11th place finish last season but Wilcox’s men will certainly fancy their chances against a much weaker team on paper.
Bottesford Town: Saturday 12th July (A)
The Holy Blues next test is a trip to fellow Lincolnshire side Bottesford Town, who play their home football at the Barrett Steel Stadium in Scunthorpe.
The Poachers have just come off the back of a 16th place finish in the NCEL Premier Division, winning just once from March until the end of the season. Although a league higher then Club Thorne Collieries, it’s another game Gainsborough will be massive favourites for.
Grimsby Town: Tuesday 15th July (H)
A much tougher test for the Holy Blues comes against Grimsby Town as the League Two side travel to the KAL Group Stadium for Gainsborough’s first home pre-season fixture.
The Mariners will be looking to push on from last season, in which they narrowly missed out on the play-off places by just two points.
Scunthorpe United: Saturday 19th July (H)
Gainsborough’s second home game see’s them welcome Scunthorpe United, a side still carrying the high of their play-off final victory over Chester.
Andy Butler’s side narrowly missed out on the title in the National League North, losing out to Brackley Town by just two points – however winning the play-offs means they will still be making a return to the National League next season.
Lincoln City: Wednesday 23rd July (H)
The most highly anticipated pre-season fixture for Gainsborough comes when they host Lincoln City in a game almost guaranteed to bring in huge crowds.
The Imps maintained a steady finish in League One last term, ending the season 11th place under head coach Michael Skubala.
However, with key players like captain Paudie O’Connor and the ever present Sean Roughan not yet tied down to a new contract, and midfielder Ethan Erhahon also being linked with a move away this window, it could be a summer of big change for The Imps.
Lincoln will likely play a heavily rotated side at the KAL Group Stadium, giving optimism to Gainsborough fans and players alike of a shock win against an opposition with such quality.
Brighouse Town: Saturday 26th July (A)
Gainsborough’s final confirmed pre-season game is against West Yorkshire side Brighouse Town who have just been relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One East.
The side finished just two points adrift from safety and were massively hampered by a three point deduction, which ultimately sealed their fate.
Overall, an enthralling set of pre-season fixtures looms for Gainsborough as they look to battle for promotion from the Northern Premier League next season.