He shoots, we score! Success of county football clubs bringing economic benefits ahead of crunch FA Cup weekend
Success for football clubs have brought real benefits to the county off the pitch, councillors have said.
Two Lincolnshire sides will be involved in FA Cup second round action this weekend as Gainsborough Trinity face Harrogate Town on Friday (November 29) while Lincoln City take on Crawley on Saturday (November 30).
Both fans and non-fans should hope for success to boost the local economy, Lincolnshire County Council’s economy committee agreed on Tuesday (November 25).
Coun Matt Boles (Lib Dem) – also the CEO of Trinity – told the meeting: “Their historic success in their FA Cup pursuits has had a massive impact on the Gainsborough economy.
“Their exposure will only increase as they’re shown live on Match of the Day on Friday night.”
It is the furthest the club have made it in the FA Cup for at least 60 years, beating fellow Lincolnshire club Boston United in the fourth qualifying round.
Coun Colin Davie (Con), the council’s economy chief, said: “Sporting events like this have a real benefit.
“Anything that exposes the town to national publicity is going to help it.”
Council studies have shown that Lincoln City’s promotions over the years have had a noticeable benefit for the high street.
The Red Imps also reached the FA Cup’s final eight in 2017, where their impressive run was ended by a 5-0 defeat at Premier League giants Arsenal.
The council had noticed this with the Imps’ success over the last decade, Justin Brown, the assistant director for growth and a Nottingham Forest fan, said: “There was absolutely pride and community benefit with that success.
“But we saw an increase in spending from visiting fans and people going to the pub before the game that was significant to the high street.
“Lincoln City’s website has a section for visiting fans to find pubs and hotels which is a good approach – visiting fans who enjoyed Lincoln will come back.”
Coun Ian Carrington (Con) said few people parked in Canwick, near the LNER stadium, while Lincoln were in the lower leagues.
“Now they’re in League One, people park all over the village and the effect on community spirit is really noticeable,” he said.
He added that the Jakemans Community Stadium, the newly-constructed home of Boston United - themselves promoted to the National League in the summer - had led to further development, with ‘more businesses springing up around it’.
Spalding United were another side to enjoy success last season, being crowned Northern Premier League Midlands Division champions in front of a crowd of 1,700.
Coun Neil Murray said a well-run football club like Lincoln City showed ‘a team can do good in the local area as well as on the pitch’.
“I of course contribute to the high street economy with my mates on a Saturday too,” he said.
