TV famous Gainsborough Trinity sit on the verge of promotion back to the Vanarama National North, but do they have what it takes to climb back up?
Before being relegated in 2018, Trinity had played at step two since it was formed in 2004, back when it was called the Conference League North.
Gainsborough now play in the seventh tier of English football, the Northern Premier League Premier Division, only reaching the play-offs once in their six year stay in the league.
But this hasn’t stopped the Holy Blues from having special moments, as Gainsborough have had two remarkable cup runs in that time.
The team has been televised twice in last two years, starting in last season’s FA Cup second round trip to Harrogate Town in which the side lost out 1-0.
That was then followed up this season as they were beaten 2-1 by SkyBet League Two side Accrington Stanley in front of the TNT Sports camera’s.
“It’s been an amazing two years while I’ve been here”, said Gainsborough manager Russ Wilcox after playing Accrington back in October, “Now we need to look at can we make playoffs, can we make that top five?”
As of today, Gainsborough sit fifth in the league, in the final playoff place available, having only suffered three losses in their last 16 league matches.
Due to rearranged fixtures, Gainsborough are at the advantage of having up to two games in hand on sides also competing for promotion, with Warrington Rylands just three points above them.
“We still have nine games left, we are still in the mix”, said Wilcox after a narrow loss 2-1 to league leaders Hebburn Town last time out. “Results have sort of gone our way a little bit, meaning we are still in fifth, so we have to got to stay positive.”
The remaining nine fixtures will come thick and fast for Trinity, with seven games in the next three weeks.
The most notable of those games, is a home match against playoff rivals Rylands on March 28, followed by an away match against Stockton Town.
They currently sit sixth in the league just two points behind Trinity although the chance to make the play-offs remains in the hands of the Holy Blues with plenty of chances to continue to look up the table.
It has been some season for Lincolnshire football clubs; Lincoln City are currently top of EFL League One, Scunthorpe sit sixth amidst playoffs in the Vanarama National League, and Boston United are consolidating their midtable position in that same National League after being promoted the season before. Gainsborough wouldn’t want to miss out on the promotion party.