Grantham Town F.C.: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 52°54′21.352″N 0°39′53.438″W / 52.90593111°N 0.66484389°W / 52.90593111; -0.66484389
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| ground = South Kesteven Sports Stadium, [[Grantham]]
| ground = South Kesteven Sports Stadium, [[Grantham]]
| capacity = 7,500 (750 seated)<ref name=NLCD2017>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) ''Non-League Club Directory 2017'', Tony Williams Publications, p174 {{ISBN|978-1869833695}}</ref>
| capacity = 7,500 (750 seated)<ref name=NLCD2017>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) ''Non-League Club Directory 2017'', Tony Williams Publications, p174 {{ISBN|978-1869833695}}</ref>
| chairman = Andrew Saunders
| chairman = Paul Rawden
| chrtitle = Chairman
| chrtitle = Chairman
| manager = Matthew Chatfield
| manager = Louis Bland
| league = {{English football updater|GranthaT}}
| league = {{English football updater|GranthaT}}
| season = {{English football updater|GranthaT2}}
| season = {{English football updater|GranthaT2}}
| position = {{English football updater|GranthaT3}}
| position = {{English football updater|GranthaT3}}
| website = https://clubs.footballwebpages.co.uk/granthamtownfc/
| website = https://www.granthamtownfc.com/
| pattern_la1 = _black_stripes
| pattern_la1 = _black_stripes
| pattern_b1 = _blackstripes3
| pattern_b1 = _blackstripes3
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==History==
==History==
The club was established in 1874 as Grantham Football Club.<ref name=H>[http://www.granthamtownfc.com/a/club-history-43819.html History] Grantham Town F.C.</ref> They joined the [[Midland Amateur Alliance]], but withdrew from the league during the 1892–93 season.<ref name=FCHD1>{{fchd|id=GRANTHAM|name=Grantham}}</ref> They joined the Grantham & District League the following season.<ref name=TFA>[http://www.thefootballarchives.com/network/club.php?ID=1&TID=1 Grantham Town: History] The Football Archives</ref> The club later returned to the Midland Amateur Alliance, where they played until becoming founder members of the [[Central Alliance]] in 1911 alongside Grantham Avenue.<ref name=TFA/><ref name=NLM1>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3EB/CA11.html The Central Alliance 1911–1925] Non-League Matters</ref> In 1924–25 they were Central Alliance champions, also winning Division B of the Subsidiary Competition.<ref name=NLM1/>
The club was established in 1874 as Grantham Football Club.<ref name=H>[http://www.granthamtownfc.com/a/club-history-43819.html History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629034057/https://www.granthamtownfc.com/a/club-history-43819.html |date=2022-06-29 }} Grantham Town F.C.</ref> They joined the [[Midland Alliance (1890)|Midland Alliance]], but withdrew from the league during the 1892–93 season.<ref name=FCHD1>{{fchd|id=GRANTHAM|name=Grantham}}</ref> They joined the Grantham & District League the following season.<ref name=TFA>[http://www.thefootballarchives.com/network/club.php?ID=1&TID=1 Grantham Town: History] The Football Archives</ref> The club later returned to the Midland Amateur Alliance, where they played until becoming founder members of the [[Central Alliance]] in 1911 alongside Grantham Avenue.<ref name=TFA/><ref name=NLM1>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3EB/CA11.html The Central Alliance 1911–1925] Non-League Matters</ref> In 1924–25 they were Central Alliance champions, also winning Division B of the Subsidiary Competition.<ref name=NLM1/>


Grantham then moved up to the [[Midland Football League (1889)|Midland League]].<ref name=FCHD1/> In [[1928–29 FA Cup|1928–29]] they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the Victorian era, and after beating [[Rhyl F.C.|Rhyl Athletic]] 1–0, they lost 2–1 at [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] club [[Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]].<ref name=FCHD1/> In 1933 they joined the new [[Central Combination]], but after finishing second-from-bottom of the league in its first season,<ref>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3EC/CenCom33.html Central Combination 1933–1937] Non-League Matters</ref> they returned to the Midland League.<ref name=FCHD1/> The club qualified for the first round again in [[1935–36 FA Cup|1935–36]], losing 2–0 at home to [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]].<ref name=FCHD1/> The 1937–38 season saw the club finish the season as Midland League runners-up.<ref name=FCHD1/>
Grantham then moved up to the [[Midland Football League (1889)|Midland League]].<ref name=FCHD1/> In [[1928–29 FA Cup|1928–29]] they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the Victorian era, and after beating [[Rhyl F.C.|Rhyl Athletic]] 1–0, they lost 2–1 at [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] club [[Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]].<ref name=FCHD1/> In 1933 they joined the new [[Central Combination]], but after finishing second-from-bottom of the league in its first season,<ref>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3EC/CenCom33.html Central Combination 1933–1937] Non-League Matters</ref> they returned to the Midland League.<ref name=FCHD1/> The club qualified for the first round again in [[1935–36 FA Cup|1935–36]], losing 2–0 at home to [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]].<ref name=FCHD1/> The 1937–38 season saw the club finish the season as Midland League runners-up.<ref name=FCHD1/>
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The following season saw Grantham progress to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1880s. After beating [[Hillingdon Borough F.C.|Hillingdon Borough]] 4–0 in the first round, they went on to defeat Third Division [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] 5–3 in a second round replay, before losing 2–0 at home to Second Division [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the third round in front of a record crowd of 6,578.<ref name=H/> They went on to finish the [[1973–74 Southern Football League|league season]] as runners-up in the Premier Division. However, in [[1977–78 Southern Football League|1977–78]] the club finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division and were relegated to Division One North. The [[1978–79 Southern Football League|following season]] saw them win the division. As well as being promoted, the club were also transferred to the [[Northern Premier League]].<ref name=FCHD1/> However, after being relegated at the end of the [[1984–85 Northern Premier League|1984–85 season]], they were transferred back to the Southern League and placed in the Midland Division.
The following season saw Grantham progress to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1880s. After beating [[Hillingdon Borough F.C.|Hillingdon Borough]] 4–0 in the first round, they went on to defeat Third Division [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] 5–3 in a second round replay, before losing 2–0 at home to Second Division [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the third round in front of a record crowd of 6,578.<ref name=H/> They went on to finish the [[1973–74 Southern Football League|league season]] as runners-up in the Premier Division. However, in [[1977–78 Southern Football League|1977–78]] the club finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division and were relegated to Division One North. The [[1978–79 Southern Football League|following season]] saw them win the division. As well as being promoted, the club were also transferred to the [[Northern Premier League]].<ref name=FCHD1/> However, after being relegated at the end of the [[1984–85 Northern Premier League|1984–85 season]], they were transferred back to the Southern League and placed in the Midland Division.


In 1987 the club was renamed Grantham Town.<ref name=FCHD2>{{fchd|id=GRANTHAT|name=Grantham Town}}</ref> They were Midland Division champions in [[1997–98 Southern Football League|1997–98]], earning promotion to the Premier Division. The club were relegated again at the end of the [[1999–2000 Southern Football League|1999–2000 season]], this time of the Eastern Division. After finishing as runners-up in the Eastern Division in [[2001–02 Southern Football League|2001–02]] the club were promoted back to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD2/> In 2006 they were transferred to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, but were relegated to Division One South at the end of the [[2007–08 Northern Premier League|2007–08 season]]. In [[2010–11 Northern Premier League|2010–11]] a fifth-place finish saw them qualify for the promotion play-offs, in which they beat [[Newcastle Town F.C.|Newcastle Town]] 3–0 in the semi-finals before losing 2–0 to [[Rushall Olympic F.C.|Rushall Olympic]] in the final.<ref name=FCHD2/> However, they won Division One South the [[2011–12 Northern Premier League|following season]] and were promoted back to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD2/> In [[2017–18 Northern Premier League|2017–18]] the club finished fourth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the play-offs. After defeating [[Warrington Town F.C.|Warrington Town]] 3–0 in the semi-finals, they were beaten 2–0 by [[Ashton United F.C.|Ashton United]] in the final. A 4–1 defeat to [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]] saw Grantham end the [[2021–22 Northern Premier League|2021–22 season]] bottom of the league and relegated from the Premier Division.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/sport/gingerbreads-are-down-9247843/|title=Away defeat confirms relegation for Grantham Town|publisher=Grantham Journal|date=4 April 2022|accessdate=25 April 2022}}</ref>
In 1987 the club was renamed Grantham Town.<ref name=FCHD2>{{fchd|id=GRANTHAT|name=Grantham Town}}</ref> They were Midland Division champions in [[1997–98 Southern Football League|1997–98]], earning promotion to the Premier Division. The club were relegated again at the end of the [[1999–2000 Southern Football League|1999–2000 season]], this time of the Eastern Division. After finishing as runners-up in the Eastern Division in [[2001–02 Southern Football League|2001–02]] the club were promoted back to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD2/> In 2006 they were transferred to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, but were relegated to Division One South at the end of the [[2007–08 Northern Premier League|2007–08 season]]. In [[2010–11 Northern Premier League|2010–11]] a fifth-place finish saw them qualify for the promotion play-offs, in which they beat [[Newcastle Town F.C.|Newcastle Town]] 3–0 in the semi-finals before losing 2–0 to [[Rushall Olympic F.C.|Rushall Olympic]] in the final.<ref name=FCHD2/> However, they won Division One South the [[2011–12 Northern Premier League|following season]] and were promoted back to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD2/> In [[2017–18 Northern Premier League|2017–18]] the club finished fourth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the play-offs. After defeating [[Warrington Town F.C.|Warrington Town]] 3–0 in the semi-finals, they were beaten 2–0 by [[Ashton United F.C.|Ashton United]] in the final. A 4–1 defeat to [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]] saw Grantham end the [[2021–22 Northern Premier League|2021–22 season]] bottom of the league and relegated from the Premier Division to Division One East.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/sport/gingerbreads-are-down-9247843/|title=Away defeat confirms relegation for Grantham Town|publisher=Grantham Journal|date=4 April 2022|accessdate=25 April 2022}}</ref>


==Ground==
==Ground==
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==Records==
==Records==
* Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Third round, 1883–84, 1886–87, 1973–74<ref name=FCHD1/>
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Third round, 1883–84, 1886–87, 1973–74<ref name=FCHD1/>
* Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Quarter-finals, 1971–72, 1997–98<ref name=FCHD1/><ref name=FCHD2/>
*Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Quarter-finals, 1971–72, 1997–98<ref name=FCHD1/><ref name=FCHD2/>
*Biggest victory: 13–0 vs [[Rufford Colliery F.C.|Rufford Colliery]], FA Cup preliminary round, 15 September 1934<ref name=NLCD2017/>
*Biggest victory: 13–0 vs [[Rufford Colliery F.C.|Rufford Colliery]], FA Cup preliminary round, 15 September 1934<ref name=NLCD2017/>
*Heaviest defeat: 15–0 vs Notts County Rovers, Midland Amateur Alliance, 22 October 1892<ref name=NLCD2017/>
*Heaviest defeat: 15–0 vs Notts County Rovers, Midland Amateur Alliance, 22 October 1892<ref name=NLCD2017/>
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[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Northern Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:Northern Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:Midland Alliance (1890)]]

Latest revision as of 23:32, 25 April 2024

Grantham Town
Full nameGrantham Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Gingerbreads
Founded1874
GroundSouth Kesteven Sports Stadium, Grantham
Capacity7,500 (750 seated)[1]
ChairmanPaul Rawden
ManagerLouis Bland
LeagueNorthern Premier League Division One Midlands
2023–24Northern Premier League Division One East, 17th of 20 (transferred)
WebsiteClub website

Grantham Town Football Club is a football club based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. They are currently members of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands and play at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium.

History[edit]

The club was established in 1874 as Grantham Football Club.[2] They joined the Midland Alliance, but withdrew from the league during the 1892–93 season.[3] They joined the Grantham & District League the following season.[4] The club later returned to the Midland Amateur Alliance, where they played until becoming founder members of the Central Alliance in 1911 alongside Grantham Avenue.[4][5] In 1924–25 they were Central Alliance champions, also winning Division B of the Subsidiary Competition.[5]

Grantham then moved up to the Midland League.[3] In 1928–29 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the Victorian era, and after beating Rhyl Athletic 1–0, they lost 2–1 at Third Division North club Wigan Borough.[3] In 1933 they joined the new Central Combination, but after finishing second-from-bottom of the league in its first season,[6] they returned to the Midland League.[3] The club qualified for the first round again in 1935–36, losing 2–0 at home to Notts County.[3] The 1937–38 season saw the club finish the season as Midland League runners-up.[3]

In the 1945–46 FA Cup, the first after World War II, Grantham reached the second round again; after beating Kettering Town in the first round, they lost 4–2 on aggregate to Mansfield Town in the second round. Another first round appearance in 1947–48 resulted in a 2–1 defeat at Stockton, whilst the club's 1949–50 FA Cup run ended with a 4–1 loss at Wrexham. In 1959 the club left the Midland League to rejoin the Central Alliance and were placed in Division One South.[7] However, after two seasons the club returned to the Midland League.[3] In 1961–62 they reached the first round of the FA Cup again, this time losing 3–0 at Brierley Hill Alliance.

Grantham were Midland League champions in 1963–64 and runners-up the following season. In 1965–66 they beat Hendon 4–1 in the first round of the FA Cup before losing 6–1 at home to Swindon Town in the second round. They also reached the second round the following season after beating Wimbledon 2–1 in the first round; in the second round they lost 4–0 at home to Oldham Athletic. After finishing as Midland League runners-up again in 1969–70, they won back-to-back league titles in 1970–71 and 1971–72; the 1970–71 season also saw them beat Football League opposition in the FA Cup for the first time, defeating Stockport County 2–1 in the first round before losing 4–1 to Rotherham United in the second. After the second successive title in 1971–72, the club were promoted to Division One North of the Southern League, which they won at the first attempt, earning promotion to the Premier Division.[3]

The following season saw Grantham progress to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1880s. After beating Hillingdon Borough 4–0 in the first round, they went on to defeat Third Division Rochdale 5–3 in a second round replay, before losing 2–0 at home to Second Division Middlesbrough in the third round in front of a record crowd of 6,578.[2] They went on to finish the league season as runners-up in the Premier Division. However, in 1977–78 the club finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division and were relegated to Division One North. The following season saw them win the division. As well as being promoted, the club were also transferred to the Northern Premier League.[3] However, after being relegated at the end of the 1984–85 season, they were transferred back to the Southern League and placed in the Midland Division.

In 1987 the club was renamed Grantham Town.[8] They were Midland Division champions in 1997–98, earning promotion to the Premier Division. The club were relegated again at the end of the 1999–2000 season, this time of the Eastern Division. After finishing as runners-up in the Eastern Division in 2001–02 the club were promoted back to the Premier Division.[8] In 2006 they were transferred to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, but were relegated to Division One South at the end of the 2007–08 season. In 2010–11 a fifth-place finish saw them qualify for the promotion play-offs, in which they beat Newcastle Town 3–0 in the semi-finals before losing 2–0 to Rushall Olympic in the final.[8] However, they won Division One South the following season and were promoted back to the Premier Division.[8] In 2017–18 the club finished fourth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the play-offs. After defeating Warrington Town 3–0 in the semi-finals, they were beaten 2–0 by Ashton United in the final. A 4–1 defeat to Stafford Rangers saw Grantham end the 2021–22 season bottom of the league and relegated from the Premier Division to Division One East.[9]

Ground[edit]

The East Stand at the South Kesteven Stadium

The club spent much of their history playing at London Road until leaving during the 1990–91 season.[2] They briefly groundshared with Spalding United before moving to the council-owned South Kesteven Sports Stadium in October 1991. The ground was built on the Meres playing fields and is also referred to as 'the Meres'.[10] On one side of the pitch is the seated West Stand, which has uncovered terracing on either side.[10] The East Stand on the other side of the pitch is of a covered terrace. There are no stands behind the goals due to the running track.[10] The ground currently has a capacity of 7,500, of which 750 is seated and 1,950 is covered.[1]

Honours[edit]

  • Northern Premier League
    • Division One South champions 2011–12
  • Southern League
    • Division One North champion 1972–73, 1978–79
    • Midland Division champions 1997–98
  • Midland League
    • Champions 1963–64, 1970–71, 1971–72
    • League Cup winners 1968–69, 1970–71
  • Central Alliance
    • Champions 1924–25
    • Division B champions 1924–25
  • Midland Amateur League
    • Champions 1910–11
  • Lincolnshire Senior Cup
    • Winners 1884–85, 1971–72, 1982–83
  • Lincolnshire County Senior Cup
    • Winner 1936–37
  • Lincolnshire Senior Cup 'A'
    • Winners 1953–54, 1960–61, 1961–62
  • Lincolnshire County Shield
    • Winners 2003–04, 2004–05, 2011–12

Records[edit]

  • Best FA Cup performance: Third round, 1883–84, 1886–87, 1973–74[3]
  • Best FA Trophy performance: Quarter-finals, 1971–72, 1997–98[3][8]
  • Biggest victory: 13–0 vs Rufford Colliery, FA Cup preliminary round, 15 September 1934[1]
  • Heaviest defeat: 15–0 vs Notts County Rovers, Midland Amateur Alliance, 22 October 1892[1]
  • Record attendance: 6,578 vs Middlesbrough, FA Cup third round, 1973–74[2]
  • Most appearances: Adrian Speed, 667[4]
  • Most goals: Jack Macartney, 416[1]
  • Record transfer fee received: £20,000 from Nottingham Forest for Gary Crosby[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) Non-League Club Directory 2017, Tony Williams Publications, p174 ISBN 978-1869833695
  2. ^ a b c d History Archived 2022-06-29 at the Wayback Machine Grantham Town F.C.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Grantham at the Football Club History Database
  4. ^ a b c Grantham Town: History The Football Archives
  5. ^ a b The Central Alliance 1911–1925 Non-League Matters
  6. ^ Central Combination 1933–1937 Non-League Matters
  7. ^ The Central Alliance 1947-1962 Non-League Matters
  8. ^ a b c d e Grantham Town at the Football Club History Database
  9. ^ "Away defeat confirms relegation for Grantham Town". Grantham Journal. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Grantham Town Pyramid Passion

External links[edit]

52°54′21.352″N 0°39′53.438″W / 52.90593111°N 0.66484389°W / 52.90593111; -0.66484389

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