Last Update:
January 26, 2021
From the outside, the ground doesn’t look up to much, but inside it is a different story. Okay similar to a lot of clubs at this level the Club have a small covered all seated Main Stand that sits astride the half way line. The Ping Stand though as it is called, does have a bit more character than most, having a barrel-shaped roof and glass windshields to either side. There are open areas to either side of this stand that are not used as such for spectators unless you want to stand by the perimeter fence. Opposite is the small covered North Terrace, which like the rest of the ground looks tidy and well maintained. There is also a small covered terrace at Town End of the ground, whilst at the other end, there is a fair-sized steep open terrace. The ground is complete with a set of eight floodlight pylons, four of which run down each side of the ground.
Gainsborough Trinity currently plays in the BetVictor Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football. This is at Step 3 below the Football League and one League below the National Leagues North and South.
There is the comfortable Blues’ Club next to the ground, which welcomes away fans. The Club has televisions showing sport and is featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. The nearest pub is the Elm Cottage, which is only a five minute walk away. From the ground turn right along North Street, cross over to the other side of the road and the pub is just around the bend on the left. Otherwise, there are plenty of pubs in the town centre which is only around a ten minute walk away. These include a Wetherpoons outlet called the Sweyn Forkbeard on Silver Street. Also on Silver Street is the Eight Jolly Brewers. Both this oub and the Wetherspoons are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Generally an enjoyable visit. If in the rare event that fans are segregated within the ground, then the Northolme Terrace at one end of the ground is given over to away fans. Although a reasonable size, this end has no cover so it is open to the elements. In addition a small number of seats are made available in the Main Stand to those who need them. The view of the action from the Northolme Terrace is pretty good and you also get to enjoy views over the town and as well as the nearby All Saints Church, which seems quite appropriate for a ground which is nicknamed the ‘Chapel’ by the home supporters. The food on offer inside the ground is also well recommended.
Leave the M18 at Junction 1 and take the A631 towards Maltby, Bawtry and then Gainsborough. As you reach Gainsborough you will cross over a river and at the traffic lights that is junction with the A156, turn left towards the town centre. Keep straight on this road, passing a Tesco Store and then the town centre on your left. You will reach the ground further along on the right. There is no parking available at the ground as such, although there is a small open air car park located across North Street, opposite the Club which costs £2. Otherwise street parking.
The closest railway station is Gainsborough Central Station which is located under half a mile away from the ground. It is served by an hourly service from Sheffield, although there is no service available after the end of midweek matches. You are far more likely to end up instead at Gainsborough Lea Road Station, which has more services running to it from Sheffield, Doncaster and Lincoln. However this is further away from the ground being just over a mile and a half away and will take 25-30 minutes to walk. It is though a fairly straightforward walking route:
As you come out of the station entrance turn left and proceed along the main road passing a Ford Garage. On reaching a roundabout take the third exit onto Ashcroft Road towards the town centre. Proceed straight along this road (A159) for around one mile, passing Marshall’s Yard on your right and you will reach the ground further along also on the right.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
Adult £12
Concessions £8
Under 16’s £4
Pre school children: Free (When accompanied by an Adult)
Concessions apply to Over 65’s and Students.
Official Programme £2.50
Record Attendance
9,760 v Scunthorpe
United Midland League, 1948
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 570 (Northern Premier League Premier Division)
2017-2018: 605 (National League North)
2016-2017: 614 (National League North)
If you require hotel accommodation in Gainsborough then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
Official Web Site: www.gainsboroughtrinity.com
Unofficial Web Site: None at present
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Gainsborough Trinity v Blyth Spartans
National League North
Tuesday 15th August 2017, 7.45pm
John Hague (Blyth Spartans fan)
Gainsborough Trinity v Salford City
National League North
Friday 14th April 2017, 3pm
Andy Macaulay (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Northolme ground?
As I support a Football League side (Barnsley) visits to Non-League grounds such as Gainsborough Trinity are completely different to the ones I normally see following my own side. Plus Northolme was a ground that I had never been to before. The game took place on a Good Friday when there was an almost full set of fixtures however my teams game had been played the night before so I decided I would take in a Non-League match and this fixture caught my eye.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was reasonably straight forward and the Northolme ground is easy to find in Gainsborough. I parked in a small car park immediately outside the ground (car park on the left as the ground is on your right when you first get to it). It is a rough surface car park made up of lose stones and it cost £2 to park there.
What you di d before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went more or less straight into the ground and had a wander around the whole of it to see it from each stand (something you can't do in League grounds!). I then had a look around the club shop which was basically just a cabin in the ground with no room for more than five customers at a time and a limited range of stock, the staff were friendly though.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Northolme ground?
The Northolme is a very small ground, as is to be expected at this level of Non-League football, however there are covered areas on three sides and overall quite it has quite a neat appearance. The only seated stand on one side is by far the tallest stand, although it takes up a very small area in terms of length of the pitch, which makes it very distinctive in appearance.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
There was no segregation but the mix of fans didn't seem to cause any problems or animosity. I got a cheese burger and chips inside the ground before the game which I would say was better than at most Football League grounds. Each member of staff I encountered was friendly. The toilet facilities were a lot more basic than I'm used to and there was only one food kiosk for the entire stadium which lead to queues. The game went against the form book with relegation battling Gainsborough beating promotion chasing Salford 1-0 which helped boost the atmosphere even though Gainsborough were holding on for large periods of the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I was able to get away from the ground very quickly, got out of the car park within a couple of minutes and didn't encounter any serious traffic delays on the main road.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I had a very pleasant trip to Gainsborough and would recommend it as a place to visit for any football fan.
Gainsborough Trinity v Chorley
National League North
Saturday 12th November 2016, 3pm
Ian Bradley (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Northolme Ground?
The Northolme Ground was one that I had never visited before
How easy w as your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Train from my home in Rotherham to Gainsborough's Lea Road Station. It is then around a two mile walk to the ground which is near the town centre.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
There is a very nice and comfortable Social Club at the ground which is welcoming to all supporters. The catering at the club is also excellent and more importantly very cheap, with Coffee & Tea at just £1. Also just a quid was pot noodles, hot dogs with onions, crisps at 25p…..incredible!!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Northolme Ground?
A really lovely little ground, covered on three sides which is unusual for non league, well kept with plentiful litter bins with a message to keep the ground tidy ready for your next visit, a nice touch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
An attendance of 568 with a good away following made for some interesting banter. On this occasion the League Table didn't lie, with third place Chorley running out 2-0 victors over mid table Trinity. A competitive game with Chorley's more clinical finishing settling the clash.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Another two mile walk back to the station and away home without difficulty.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Gainsborough Trinity is a very pleasant day out at a friendly club with nice chatty fans, I'd definitely recommend a visit.
Gainsborough Trinity v Lowestoft Town
Conference National League North
Saturday 16th April 2016, 3pm
Brian Scott (Lowestoft Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Northolme ground itself?
Another ground in my quest for all the '92' plus top three non leagues In England and Scotland top four leagues. 61 to go!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled by train and as I had plenty of time I went from Peterborough via Lincoln where I had to change trains. There was enough snow on the footbridge at Lincoln to make a snowball – it's April!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived at Lea Road Station with a few hours to spare. I had a walk up to Gainsborough Central station and watched a train arrive and depart in each direction. Such a massive site for a railway station with only three trains per week each way, all on a Saturday. The church, not far from the ground is well worth a visit as it is quite unusual inside.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Northolme Ground?
Northolme is fairly typical of many grounds at this level, the 'Ping' Main (seated) Stand is rather small, but there is ample terracing undercover for the average attendance. I sat for the first half and then joined fellow Lowestoft fans undercover on the terrace for the second half. There was more noise from the away fans than home fans who didn't seem to have any specific area to congregate.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Lowestoft needed the points to try to move out of the relegation zone. Gainsborough scored in the first half rather against the run of play. Lowestoft came back in the second half with an equaliser and had efforts cleared off the line and hit the bar. As Brackley lost, Lowestoft are now equal on points with them but with a poorer goal difference they just remain in the bottom three.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I walked straight back to Gainsborough Lea Road station, which took me 25 minutes. It's probably just under two miles, but as trains depart in each direction at about 40 minutes past the hour, there is no real rush. I took the more direct route back via Retford, Peterborough and Ely.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I had a good day out, despite it being so cold in the wind, but the sun did shine for most of the time, with the odd hail storm.