UK Stadiums: The Northolme, Gainsborough
The Northolme (aka the KAL Group Stadium for sponsorship reasons) in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire is the home ground of Gainsborough Trinity of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Stadium History
The Northolme claims to be the 'oldest single team ground in the world' - that is the oldest football ground where one club has played continuously. That is, in this case, from 1873.
Previously Cheshire club Northwich Victoria claimed their Drill Field stadium was the oldest continuously used by one team as "The Vics' had played here from 1875 until 2002. The ground, however, was sold for redevelopment and demolished in 2004.
Capacity & Stands
The football ground has a capacity of around 4,340 with covered seating in the main Ping Stand for around 500 spectators.
Opposite is the covered standing room only North Terrace.
Behind the goals are now two covered standing ends including The Stuart Horsley Stand.
The ground has 8 pylon-style floodlights - four on each side of the stadium.
Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity, like other clubs in England, were founded by a church vicar for young men who also played cricket at the ground. The team were called Trinity Recreationists after the Holy Trinity Church in Gainsborough.
Nicknamed 'The Trinity' or 'The Holy Blues', the club became members of Midland Counties League in 1889, winning the league in the following 1890-1891 season.
The club were elected to League Two for the 1896-1897 season (the 9th season of the league). On the whole the team struggled with a best finish of sixth in the 1904-1905 season. After a bottom finish in the 1911-1912 The Trinity were not re-elected, returning to the Midland League and were replaced by neighbors, Lincoln City.
The team has enjoyed some success in the early rounds of the FA Cup and presently play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the 7th tier of English football.
Access - Getting There
Gainsborough Lea Road Station is 30 minutes south of the ground on foot. There are trains to Lincoln, Leeds and Sheffield and limited services to Doncaster and Peterborough.
The closest railway station is Gainsborough Central Station, which is about a 10-minute walk away. However, the station has very few trains. There are services to Retford, Cleethorpes or Sheffield (which may involve a change) with fewer trains on weekends.
Address: Northolme, Gainsborough DN21 2QW
Nearby Hotels
Some recommended places to stay in Gainsborough include The White Hart Hotel and the Gainsborough Hotel with a car park and free Wifi.
See here for a listing of accommodation in Gainsborough to suit all budgets.
Attractions in Gainsborough include Gainsborough Old Hall and the All Saints Church.
More UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
Gallery
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