Grantham Town FC

Grantham Town Football Club were founded in August 1874 with Colonel Hutchinson being an early inspiration behind the club.

The early years saw the club play matches based on the members that turned up. The first ever game was a Colonel Hutchinson team v a Mr A Gamble team. This was a seven a side game. Other such matches saw a East of the High team take on the rest losing the game 1-0. The club's first match against another team saw the Third Lincolnshire Volunteer Rifles visit London Road. Eighteen players appeared to have turned out in the match with Grantham winning 2-1. Gate receipts of £6 were taken. Not all the games saw Grantham play football. There are recorded instances of the team turning up and playing the Rugby Union code!

Grantham's first match in the F.A. Cup came in 1877. Drawn to play Clapham Rovers in the first round Grantham lost 1-0. The club then went into decline for several seasons during which time they appeared to have played one game. Resurrected once again and with Colonel Hutchinson still playing the club once again concentrated on playing friendly games and playing in various cup competitions. By this time there was also competition for footballing allegiances in the town from Grantham Rovers. Indeed they were the number one team in Grantham playing in regular competitive matches.

The 1888-1889 season saw Grantham win its first piece of silverware. With victories over Leicester Mill Hill, Kettering Hawks and Loughborough Town, Grantham reached the final of the Kettering Charity Cup. The final against Cambridge Granta was played in front of an estimated gate of 3000 with a goal from Slater winning the cup for Grantham. The whole town turned out the celebrate the victory as the cup was paraded for everyone to see.

For the 1891 -1892 season Grantham joined the Midland Amateur Alliance and Grantham's first ever league match was against Notts County Rovers at home. It was not the best of seasons for the club and they had to wait for their first league victory until the 28th of November when Long Eaton Athletic were defeated 3-0 with goals from Mabbott, Hughes and an own goal.

Within two seasons Grantham had withdrawn from the MAA and were fielding a side in the Grantham and District League. This was followed by another period of no play

The team was re-formed once again in 1904 and returned to the Midland Amateur Alliance again with little on field success. Four season later Grantham, along with several other clubs formed the Midland Amateur League. There were now more matches against better quality opponents.

The 1910-1911 season saw Grantham lift their first league championship and reach the final of the league cup which the club lost to West Bridgeford Albion. The season also saw a prestigious friendly against one of the leading Amateur clubs of the time Queens Park.

Having won the Midland Amateur League Grantham joined the Central Alliance League, a higher standard of competition. Grantham now had trips to Walsall Reserves, Nottingham Forest Reserves and Peterborough Loco amongst others. There was also a local derby against Grantham Avenue - the team that replaced Grantham Rovers as the number 1 team in Grantham. Season 1912-1913 saw Grantham finish above Avenue in the league to claim the number one spot in Grantham for the first time for many years.

The outbreak of the First World War meant that Grantham had to withdraw from the Central Alliance. Matches were played throughout the war on a friendly basis against local army and RAF teams.

After the war Grantham rejoined the Central Alliance. With Grantham Avenue failing to reform Grantham F.C. emerged as the leading club in the town for the first time since the club were first established back in 1874.

Grantham played on in the Central Alliance without making any real impact on the league table. The 1921-1922 season saw Grantham win the Stamford Charity Cup with a 2-1 win over Stamford. The 1923-1924 season saw Grantham finish third in a reduced league behind Alfreton Town and Newark Town. Several clubs had moved on to join the Midland League.

Season 1924-1925 saw eleven clubs compete for the Central Alliance title. Grantham lost just two matches all season to claim the title for the first and last time. The club also won the Grantham Hospital Cup with a 3-2 win over RAF Spittlegate.

Grantham decided to move on to the Midland League, a higher standard of competition. This only took place after a summer crisis and a new set of businessmen joining the board to finance the move.

Grantham's first ever match in the Midland League saw the club travel to Mansfield Town, drawing 1-1 in front of 4000 spectators. For the first time Grantham played a forty game season. The club finished 14th in the table. Also for the first time Grantham played football on Christmas Day as well as Boxing day with local derby matches against Newark Town. Grantham finished in the lower half of the table the following two season with only victories in the RAF Shield and Mansfield Charity Cup to boast about. Season 1928-1929 saw Grantham show good league form to finish fifth in the league table.

But footballing life was getting increasing hard. Committee members were harder to fine and the onset of the financial depression meant a shortage of money and Grantham struggled in the league. It was no surprise, therefore, that Grantham resigned from the Midland League and became founder members of the Central Combination for the 1933-1934 season. The team continued to struggle, winning only seven games and twenty points. Again the Grantham Charity Cup was won with a 2-0 win against T.W. Rust & Co F.C. on the Harlaxton Road Ground.

Again a group of local businessmen came forward to save the club. After a meeting at the Black Dog Public House a limited company was form, Grantham F.C. Ltd. Despite problems which almost saw the project founder before it got off the ground Grantham were ready to start a new season back in the Midland League. The club appointed there first ever manager in the shape of Harry Pringle a former player with Lincoln City. Up to the outbreak of World War Two saw some good times in league and cup for Grantham. Well known players in Grantham's history made their mark such as Cyril Stocks, Archie Burgon and Sid Bycroft. Grantham finished mid table and reached the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup, losing out to Boston Utd after a replay. The club also achieved their biggest every victory with a 13-0 win in the FA Cup against Rufford Colliery.

The following season was even better. The team reached the first round proper of the FA Cup and drew local side Notts County at London Road. Alas Grantham bowed out of the competition 0-2 in front of 5306 spectators who had paid £351 in gate receipts to watch the match. Rumour has it that a film was made of the match, but a copy has never come to light. By the end of the season Grantham had once again lost in the final of the Lincolnshire cup to Boston United, but had won the Grantham Charity cup with a 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers; the Wilson Cup against a Lincoln League XI and finished fourth in the league.

Grantham finally won the Lincolnshire Cup at the third time of asking at the end of the 1936-1937 season with a replay win against Boston United. By this time Harry Pringle had step down as manager due to financial cut backs.

Season 1937-1938 was to be the amongst the frustrating in the club's history. The club reached last qualifying round in the FA Cup, losing 2-0 to Scunthorpe Utd. In the league Grantham were neck at neck at the top of the league with Shrewsbury Town for much of the season. The league championship came down to two games against Shrewsbury Town in late April of 1938. The first match at London Road saw Grantham gain a 1-0 victory thanks to a Harry Siddall goal with 4245 supporters cheering on. Two days later, in the return match at Shrewsbury, Grantham crashed 2-6 to give Shrewsbury Town the initiative and the league title.

It was during this season that the Grantham legend, Jack McCartney, was signed for the club from Spalding Utd. Jack scored 20 goals in 34 games during the 1937-1938 season. Jack MaCartney became the leading goalscorer for the club with 416 goals in just 456 appearances.

With the outbreak of the Second World War organised football came to an end. Grantham Football Club closed down for the duration. With the end of the war competitive football was back and Grantham returned to the Midland League.

The first season back saw Grantham make it to the first round proper of the FA Cup. In the first round Kettering were defeated over two legs. In the second round Grantham drew Mansfield Town but unfortunately lost both legs by a 2-1 scoreline. Once again the club reached the final of the Lincolnshire Cup and once again lost to Boston Utd. Grantham finished a little further down the table each season until the end of the decade. For much of the 1950's Grantham achieved little of note. The best victory came in the Lincolnshire Cup against Gainsborough Trinity. In the final at London Road the Blues were defeated 3-0 with 3140 in attendance.

At the end of the 1950's the Midland League expand and clubs from the North East joined. With Grantham struggling off the field to generate the necessary finance and the extra traveling expenses the Gingerbreads dropped out of the Midland League and took the place of the reserve team in the Central Alliance (South) for season 1959-1960. Playing against a good number of reserve teams Grantham achieved runners-up spot behind Bourne Town. The following season saw Grantham only finish fifth.

1961-1962 saw the North East clubs leave the Midland League and Grantham rejoined. New input off the field allowed Grantham to meet the financial demands of the league. The most successful era in the history of Grantham Football Club was about to begin.

Season 1963-1964 saw the appointment of Jimmy Raynor as Player/Manager. The former Football League player was still young enough to make a real impact in the Midland League. He did not disappoint. Although the team lost their first league match of the season they went on a nine match unbeaten run to establish themselves amongst the favourites for the championship.

Another run of 25 matches without defeat towards the end of the season sealed the championship from nearest rivals, Scarborough by nine points. Jimmy Rayner finished the season with 71 goals in all competitions. A great feat made easier by his instructions to fellow team members that the ball should always be passed to him when in the box.

Grantham started the next season in fine form, but lost Jimmy Rayner who returned to league football with Notts County. Terry Bly, made the journey in the opposite direction, a striker, who was to remain with Grantham for the next fourteen years.

During the next two seasons Grantham finished third in the Midland League and reached the Second Round of the FA Cup after defeating Wimbledon in the first round. Oldham Athletic brought the run to an end with a 0-4 defeat.

Grantham good cup runs continued. The first round in 1967-1968, defeated by Altrincham and in 1968-1969 Chelmsford City were defeated in the first round before losing to Swindon Town in the second. As the decade drew to a close Grantham once again came up against Oldham Athletic, this time losing 1-3. During all this time Grantham did not finish outside the top five in the league.

As the 1960's came to an end Grantham achieved runners-up spot in the Midland League behind Alfreton Town and were about to win three consecutive league championships.

Season 1970-1971 saw the legendary forward line of Nixon and Norris team up for Grantham for the first line. They were to spearhead the Grantham attack for several years terrorising opposition defences in the process. That season Grantham won the championship scoring one hundred goals. Nixon and Norris scored 46 league goal between them. In the FA Cup Grantham defeated Gainsborough after a replay played at Nottingham Forest and then had a great victory over Stockport County the following Saturday. It came to an end in the Second Round with defeat against Rotherham Utd. The Midland league Cup was also won with victory over Arnold.

Season 1971-1972 saw more of the same. The championship was won once again. Also the Lincolnshire Senior Cup came to Grantham with a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe Utd. In the FA Trophy Grantham progressed to the Quarter - Final losing out to Yeovil Town at London Road.

After two years of success for Grantham in the Midland League the club decided to try their hand in the Southern League. Season 1972-1973 saw Grantham enter Division One North of the Southern League. The Gingerbreads started off with a win against Stevenage Athletic and never looked back. The third championship running came Grantham's way in May nine points clear from Atherstone Town. A total of 113 league goals were scored in the process winning the Southern League Merit Cup in the process. Once again the first round of the FA Cup was reached with a meeting against Bradford City.

The following season saw Grantham promoted to the Southern Premier. Again Grantham set the pace at the top end of the table. The opposition was considerable tougher and a fourth consecutive championship was just beyond reach. The Gingerbreads had to settle for runners-up spot behind Dartford. It was in the FA Cup that the club reached new heights. In the competition proper Hillingdon Borough were defeated in the first round. The second round matched Grantham with Rochdale at London Road. A draw meant a replay at Spotlands. The Gingerbreads came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 after ninety minutes. In extra time Grantham scored two more goals to reach the third round for the first time in over 100 years. Middlesbrough came to London Road for the third round match. Against Jackie Charlton's side, which included Graeme Souness, the Gingerbreads found it hard going and finally went out 2-0.

The high point of Grantham's success had now been reached. The team had remained virtually unchanged during the last four seasons. New players had to be brought in, attendances declined. The following three seasons saw Grantham finish mid table with only a cup match against Port Vale to cheer about. Eventually the 1977-1978 saw Grantham finish bottom of the table.

Relegation saw Grantham return to Division One North. A poor start saw an end to the managership of Terry Bly; former goal hero Bob Norris taking over the hot seat.

The Gingerbreads had discovered a new scoring sensation in Robbie Cooke. A good run in the league meant that come the last day of the season the championship came down to the last match against Merthyr Tydfil. A hat-trick by Robbie Cooke gave Grantham the points and the championship by a point from Merthyr.

With the introduction of the Alliance Premier (Football Conference) Grantham were moved to the Northern Premier League instead of the promotion to the Southern Premier. For much of the 1980's the fortunes of Grantham Football Club went into decline. In the NPL two fourth place finishes were achieved and the league cup semi-finals were reached on two occasions. The Lincolnshire Senior Cup final saw Grantham achieve victory over Scunthorpe Utd. Off the field the club's financial plight increased season by season and it was no real surprise that the club failed to get re-elected to the NPL at the end of the 1984-1985 season.

Grantham rejoined the Southern League and were allocated a place in the Midland Division. The club's fortunes continued to decline and eventually the nadir was reached at the end of the 1986-1987 season. With the club facing closure a new board came in to take control of the club.

Martin O'Neil was appointed manager and his charismatic personality began to work on the team. After a slow start the team moved into top gear playing some exciting and attacking football. Peter Whitehurst ended the season with 20 goals and other players to make their mark included Glen Beech, John Humphreys and Mick McGuire. Promotion depended on a victory in the last game of the season at Bilston Town and a draw or defeat for Moor Green. Although Grantham won 3-0 Moor Green turned around a half time deficit to defeat Coventry Sporting and deprive Grantham of the second promotion spot.

Although there were high hopes for next season the Gingerbreads just failed to meet the same high standards. and only a sixth place finish could be achieved. Martin O'Neil moved on to Shepshed and Grantham once again faced mid-table mediocrity.

With interest shown in the development of the London Road ground the next big development came with the news of a new ground for the football club. After considerable negotiations a new ground was built on the Meres playing field which would be shared with the Athletics Club. Now under the management of John Robertson, the former assistant to Martin O'Neil, Grantham played half a season at Spalding United before making their debut at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium for the 1989-1990 season. It was not long before supporters became disenchanted with John Robertson and he was replaced by former Grantham Manager, Bob Duncan. The 1990's saw Grantham battle against the problem of a lack of money. Bob Duncan left when the wage bill was slashed and succeeding managers battled against limited budgets to build a successful team.

All this only changed when Chairman, Alan Prince, decided to appoint a high profile manager with the budget to match. Gary Mills, the former Nottingham Forest defender, was appointed manager and Grantham began to male a challenge for promotion. A good run in the FA Trophy saw a mighty tussle against Blyth Spartans settled after a second replay. At the end of the season a run of poor form cost the club a promotion place. But all was ready for the following season.

1997-1998 saw Grantham lead the table after the second game, a position that was held through to the last day. The first ten league games of the season met with ten straight wins. Another good FA Trophy run saw Hednesford Town defeated and the quarter final reached with a defeat by Southport after a replay. Ilkeston Town pushed Grantham all the way to the title which was not decided until the last day of the season.

Even more amazing developments during the close season saw the club taken over by Antrac Investments and Reg Brealey. This was due to a critical need for more cash. The club turned full time and appointed Danny Begara as manager. Sadly things started to go wrong after the first three matches of the season which saw three wins. A run of poor results saw Begara replaced by Tony Kenworthy. The club were not run as professionally as was hoped and the debts began to mount. The team had to be rebuilt during the course of the season and just did enough to avoid relegation. It was clear that by the end of the season Antrac Investments had lost interest in the ideal of running Grantham Town as a professional club.

A loyal band of following kept the club going the following season. On the field the team were stuck at the bottom of the table. Off the field the club battled on the escape from Antrac Investments. Could a deal be done? On a number of occasions it came close, but was always scuppered by Antrac Investments. Just as it looked as if the club had played its last game it was rescued by Dr Gordon Hotson. He invested £30,000 along with £20,000 donated by a mystery benefactor which paid off the tax man and created a CVA for Grantham.

On the field fortunes improved with the appointment of Lincoln United manager, John Wilkinson. After a slow start Grantham climbed off the bottom of the table. By the last day of the season the club were relegated, but only on goal difference.

Season 2000-2001 saw Grantham with high hopes. These were ultimately to end in disappointments as the Gingerbreads finished third. Off the field problems arose with the new chairman unable to forge a working team.

Finally he stepped down and now the Gingerbreads re-structured and where rewarded with promotion at the end of season 2001-2002.

The 2002/03 season started began brightly, with the Gingerbreads top after 10 games. However relegation was only avoided on the last day of the season with a 4-0 win over Moor Green. John Wilkinson stepped down as manager and the club appointed Roger Ashby ahead of the new campaign.

Having beaten Stafford Rangers, Ashington and Ashton United Grantham reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in November 2003. The game with Leyton Orient was later featured on Match of the Day, after a truly memorable occasion Grantham bowed out of the Cup after a 94th minute goal, having had keeper Mario Ziccardi sent off.

March 2004 saw the departure of Roger Ashby, as he quit to join Nuneaton Borough. Grantham moved swiftly to replace him, appointing Dave Norton as manager. Dave led the side to a Lincolnshire County Shield success in only his fourth game with the club. The 2003/04 season culminated in relegation for the Gingerbreads, as they dropped into a newly re-organised Southern Premier League. The following season saw Dave Norton resign following a 4-2 defeat against Shepshed Dyanmo in the FA Cup. Thwe club acted swiftly and appointed former Nottingham Forest player Lee Glover as manager in September 2004.