King’s Lynn Town

King’s Lynn Town FC is a professional football club from the Norfolk town of the same name that was formed in 2010. They are a phoenix club formed to replace the former Kings Lynn FC that was wound up in 2009 owing to debt.

King’s Lynn FC

The original club had a rich history going back to its formation in August 1881, originally as Lynn Town, at least to locals. They became founder members of the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1897-98, going on to become champions on many occasions.

The 1899-00 campaign saw the team reach the final of the FA Amateur Cup where they lost 3-0 to Crook Town in a replay at Portman Road after the first game ended level at Dovercourt. In 1905-06 Lynn were pitted against the might of Aston Villa in the FA Cup, going down 11-0.

In 1935 the club became founder members of the Eastern Counties League, with a Cup first round appearance against Bromley ending in defeat in 1937-38. Large crowds headed to The Walks culminating in a gate of 12,931 in another FA Cup first round defeat after reaching the same stage in 1949-50 against Nuneaton Borough.

During this period the club joined the United Counties League for just one season prior to ending as Eastern Counties League runners-up in 1949-50 and 1952-53, before being crowned as champions in 1953-54 which saw Lynn moved to the Midland League under player-manager Paul Todd.

A few years later the team would make their mark in the FA Cup, reaching the second round in 1958-59, losing to Brentford after seeing off Merthyr Tydfil, and again in 1959-60 where a win against Aldershot was followed by defeat against Reading at Elm Park for the team managed by Len Richley.

A win against Loughborough United saw ‘The Linnets’ play Bristol City in round two in 1960-61. The tie ended in defeat after a replay at Ashton Gate after a 2-2 draw at home. By now Lynn was a Southern League club, having become members of the South Eastern zone in 1958-59.

Relegation to Division One came in 1961-62, maybe by being distracted in the FA Cup, where wins against Chelmsford City and then away to Coventry City saw Lynn go out in the third round against Everton at Goodison Park. 

Promotion was achieved at the first attempt, while in the Cup a win against local rivals Boston United saw the run end in round two at home to Oxford United. Another first round appearance in 1964-65 ended in defeat at home to Shrewsbury Town before the arrival of new player-manager Reg Davies who was at the helm for five years.

1968-69 saw a first round defeat at the hands of Southend United, with another demotion following the next season. The 1971-72 Cup campaign ended in round one against Hereford United, while the second saw defeat to Alvechurch in 1973-74 after a win against Wimbledon. 

Lynn were placed in the Midland Division of the Southern League after it was reorganized in 1978-79, before joining the Northern Premier League in 1980-81. The club returned to familiar surroundings in 1983-84, ending as Southern League as runners-up in 1984-85 which also saw an FA Cup defeat to Bristol Rovers in the first round.

Relegation to the Midland Division of the competition followed in 1986-87. Ten seasons later an FA Cup win against Bromsgrove Rovers was rewarded with a second round tie at Millmoor against Rotherham United which ended in a 6-0 defeat under team boss Peter Morris. 

In 2000-01 another drop down to the Eastern Division occurred, before promotion was achieved in 2003-04 as non-league football restructured itself. Chippenham Town ended any hopes of further promotion in 2005-06 with a play-off semi-final victory.

The following season saw more FA Cup escapades, as Bishops Stortford were overcome before Oldham Athletic came out victorious in the second round clash at The Walks in the second round with Keith Webb managing the team. 

The 2007-08 season saw King’s Lynn become Southern League champions and winning promotion to the Conference North. However, they were demoted to the Northern Premier League in 2008-09, with their playing record expunged in the following season after carl Heggs was appointed as player-manager.

King’s Lynn Town

The new club was formed, with local speedway guru Buster Chapman at the helm, gaining a place in the United Counties League Premier Division in 2011-12, ending as runners-up, also reaching the semi-finals of the FA Vase where they were defeated over two legs by Coalville Town under manager Gary Setchell.

This led to promotion to Division One South of the Northern Premier League, which was won at the first attempt in 2012-13. However, the club was switched to the Southern League in 2015-16 before businessman Steven Cleeve bought the club in May 2016.

Ian Culverhouse was appointed as manager as the team missed out on promotion in 2017-18, losing to Slough Town after seeing off Weymouth. However, the disappointment was put to bed in 2018-19. Stratford Town and Alvechurch were seen off before Warrington Town were defeated in the Super-play-off to seal a place in National League North. 

The Linnets form continued as the title was won at the first attempt meaning elevation to the top tier of non-league football on points per game after the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The team stayed up, and defeated Port Vale in the FA Cup before going out in the second round away to Portsmouth.

Tommy Widdrington took over the managerial reins in November 2021 shortly after a Cup defeat to Walsall. The team was relegated at the end of the season, with apparent large debts being rumoured. The side battled back and ended as National League North runners-up in 2022-23. 

Defeat to Kidderminster Harriers in the play-off semi-final led to a change of manager with Mark Hughes being given the job.

King’s Lynn Town FC will play in National League North in the 2023-24 season.

My visit

Kings Lynn Town 2 Peterborough Sports 1 (Saturday 16^th October 2021) FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round (att: 1,013)

After the usual quandary of trying to pick a match, I decided upon a new venue and a day out on the train. A fine fry up set me up before heading to Kings Cross, where the service to East Anglia was about full upon departure.

Plenty were heading to Cambridge, some of whom were Ipswich fans. A scattering of Norwich supporters was massively outnumbered by those cheering for Brighton, their visitors at Carrow Road. I had an old lass sat next to me who had the elbows of Billy Whitehurst each time she typed on her phone. 

I always enjoy arriving at terminus stations, but my initial impressions on arrival at 12.30 in Kings Lynn of the area around the bus station and main shopping area weren't too favourable, but that was more down to those that were frequenting those areas, which is a common phenomenon in all town centres.

However, after a nice walk, I was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty town on the Great Ouse with plenty of history on a nice early afternoon. Beers were taken at Wenn's Chop & Ale House, where the Juice Rocket IPA offered a steady start. 

On to Nip and Growler Ale & Cider House, which offered 9 craft/keg beers/pils etc including some strong stout plus three ciders. I stuck to the sensible strength stuff. Apparently, an away fan at the last game was seen staggering towards the game after some 9% ale according to the lass serving.

It was very convivial. Not cheap either but located on the High Street it kept those intent on creating havoc away. It was slightly reminiscent of a lower key Brew Dog boozer. My choices were pints of the excellent Ilkley Mary Jane and Bruha Pale from Eye in Suffolk, supplemented with half of Slate Smoked Porter from Grain Brewery of Harleston.

The football ground is inside The Walks, a beautiful large public park. Tickets had to be purchased from a window at the side of the huge stand. I gave a programme a miss. I'm sorry, but £3.50 at non-league as well as £15 admission? One of the attractions at this level is cutting down on costs. I could afford one, but it was the principal.

A decent cup tie as the hosts came from behind. Visitors, PSL were backed by a decent following, including what I'd guess many off duty Posh who couldn't afford, or were too apathetic, or didn't fancy Teesside to see their team at Middlesbrough. It helped create a decent enough atmosphere. 

The Walks is an excellent venue. I was most impressed. The ladies at the Hungry Linnets cabin serving both home and away fans were under pressure. I heard one say they were new. My three choices were all out of stock, so I ended up with a beautiful large homemade sausage roll for which I was only charged a couple of quid.

Out on the pitch, Sports took the lead after eighteen minutes when a ball over the top from Luke Warner-Eley found former Linnet Michael Gash, who controlled and smashed home. Lynn clawed their way back into the game and began to pile on the pressure. 

Michael Clunan saw his header go just wide before Gold Omotayo headed an Aaron Jones cross into the side netting. The leveller eventually came a few minutes before the break when Omotayo's header from a Brett McGavin corner beat Lewis Moat in the Peterborough goal.

By now I was watching in the covered enclosure opposite the magnificent stand with many one eyed sweary locals in evidence. The poor nearside linesman who was doing a decent job along with the competent ref were taking the brunt of the abuse as well as former Lynn defender Ryan Fryatt. 

Joe Rowley on loan from Chesterfield suffered a suspected broken leg when going close for the hosts, leading to a long delay. His replacement, Josh Barrett, a chubby new signing from Bristol Rovers looked the part with ball play. It was his sublime skills set up McGavin to side foot what proved to be the winner.

Play became very competitive and players a bit tetchy. PSL found another gear and pressed for an equaliser. Jordan Nicholson got in but saw his shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Luis Fernandez. Nicholson shot wide as the board went up for ten additional minutes.

Despite further pressing PSL couldn't find a way through. Both sides received deserved acclaim from their fans as I headed away contemplating going for another pint before my train back to London.

The Fenman opposite the station had some likely lads inside, so instead I decided to grab some food shopping at Morrison's. A very decent day out.