Gainsborough out to write another remarkable chapter in FA Cup

Gainsborough Trinity volunteer Rob Hughes is relishing the idea of writing another chapter in what has already been a 'remarkable journey' ahead of his side's visit to Hednesford Town in the FA Cup First Round next month.

The Holy Blues got past AFC Telford, Grantham and Darlington before claiming the scalp of neighbours Boston United to reach the main draw and will now face eighth-tier Hednesford for a chance to reach the Second Round.

And Gainsborough Trinity media manager Hughes – who has volunteered at the club for almost a decade – revealed that it is the magic of cup competitions that help spur him on to help deliver the matchday experiences fans deserve.

He said: “In my lifetime and in a number of Trinity supporters’ lifetimes, the club hasn’t reached the Second Round in 60-odd years so it’s already been a remarkable journey to get this far.

“We’ve had a couple of local derbies along the way, my old team Telford beaten and we now have Hednesford [Town] who’ve always been one of the sides closest to where I’ve lived. It’s been an adventure, and I know Trinity supporters have enjoyed it and bought into the cup run as well.

“The time before the last time we got to the First Round Proper was nine years ago and we beat Boston that year and then we went to beat Droylsden 4-3, then went to Epsom and beat them 1-0 in their own backyard.

“We then got Shrewsbury in the First Round and only lost 1-0 in that one in front of the TV cameras so that was quite a remarkable cup run and that’s part of the reason that’s spurred me on and kept me going.”

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For Hughes, volunteers are essential to non-league football, instrumental in ensuring that non-league clubs can operate successfully.  He added: “You just think how many jobs there are that need to be done. I do wear a few hats at the club in terms of the media, but I’ve got my own little band of volunteers who produce content for the programmes for me and the videos as well.  

“I’ll edit the highlights, but I wouldn’t have that to do if I didn’t have people volunteering and spending their time in rain, wind and sunshine to capture footage that can then get put out and spreads the word and helps the club to grow.

“It’s the same for the programme articles. I might be a bit biased, but I think we produce one of the best programmes in the league and that's only possible through the content and contributions of people in the last 10 years.

“They’ve been supporting Gainsborough a lot longer than I have and I’m really grateful. Everybody is a volunteer at the football club, they give up their time and it’s invaluable.” 
Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/