After their predecessors went under in 2010, King’s Lynn Town are the phoenix club who rose from the ashes and flew to new heights. Where the ‘old’ Linnets had only reached as high as Conference North in 2008, the ‘new’ incarnation made it one step further; securing promotion to the National League, er, National in 2020. Life at that level was tough, however. After two seasons, the Linnets lost their fight for survival and returned to the National League North. So, it’s pretty much for that reason that Boro’s first meeting with the club would come courtesy of the 2022-3 FA Cup.
The original King’s Lynn FC were formed way back in 1881 – but only started to progress in the non-league pyramid from the 1950s onwards; joining the Midland and Southern Leagues. Of course, we need to cut that long story short to get onto the matter at hand. The Linnets’ 2007-8 Southern Premier League title win was a pinnacle in that club’s long history; bringing with it promotion to the Conference North. But it was a bridge too far, seemingly. In November 2009, the club were wound-up at the High Court – having already ‘returned’ to the Northern Premier League.
In that club’s place rose King’s Lynn Town FC. And the rise was rapid. The ‘new’ Linnets started life in – your friends and ours – the United Counties League in 2010. Just 10 years later, they’d gained promotion to the National League. They breezed through the Southern League (relatively speaking) and took just one go to clinch the National League North title. Yet, the top rung of the non-league ladder proved a lot more difficult. The 2020-1 season saw them (and Barnet) finish in the relegation zone. Due to Covid, however, they were given a lifeline.
National Leagues North and South had packed it in due to renewed restrictions. In the ‘main’ league, Dover Athletic had already called it quits as their costs mounted. So, the National League in its infinite wisdom decided there’d be no relegation or promotion – even though the ‘main’ division completed its fixtures. We don’t begrudge the Linnets their lifeline. We do begrudge Barnet theirs, however – although they have no recourse against our survival in 2019 now. We digress. Anyway, the Linnets couldn’t make good on their second chance and were relegated in 2022.
How to get to King’s Lynn Town – Travel Information – Distance: 77 miles
By Road
You have a choice of two options for making the trip by road to King’s Lynn. One is shorter in terms of the distance, while the other is likely (but not definitely) shorter in time.
A:
The first option is to head north on the A1(M); coming off at Junction 9 and following the A505 all the way as far as Royston. Here, at the roundabout by Tesco, take the first exit and go north on the A1198. You’ll come to another roundabout in about 4.5 miles, at which point you’ll want the third exit for the Cambridge-bound A603.
Stay with the A603 until you reach the M11. Go north for about 2.3 miles. This brings you to Junction 14, where you should take the exit for the eastbound A14. But you’ll only be on the A14 for about 3 miles; leaving at a junction that gives you the choice of the A1309 or A10 (Cambridge/Ely).
A filter lane will take you onto the northbound A10 and that’s pretty much it until you get to King’s Lynn. Once here, you’ll be confronted by a giant roundabout with the A47 going over it. That’s irrelevant, however, as you want to go straight across this roundabout onto the A149 Hardwick Road. Basically, head towards Tesco and the retail park.
At a roundabout just after a Travelodge on your left, take the fourth exit for the B1144. Keep going for slightly more than half a mile (over another roundabout). Hey presto – the ground is on your left.
B:
The second option is to go north on the A1(M) and A1 until you get to Junction 17; the top end of the Peterborough stretch of motorway. Exit onto the A1139 Fletton Parkway in the direction of Wisbech.
Stay with the A1139 for about 8 miles. At this point, you should reach a roundabout with the A47. Take the third exit here; following the A47 for a fair while.
Now, it gets a little Google Maps-interesting now. When you come to a roundabout with the A17 and a services, go straight on (second exit) for Clenchwarton Road. BUT shortly after the service area, take a right turn. This will keep you on Clenchwarton Road – but going straight on is also the same road, albeit in totally the wrong direction.
You’ll know you’ve gone the right way when the road bends around to the left and across the River Great Ouse. It’ll then become Wisbech Road; bending again around to the left. Keep going straight on in this direction – including a roundabout by Rumbles Fish Bar. You’ll then join the B1144 and arrive at the ground shortly.
The official Linnets website is at pains to remind you that parking is limited at the ground. It’s also in a residential area. So, the recommendation is to try the St James’ multi-storey car park. This is a five-minute walk away – and can be found at the postcode PE30 1BT.
By Rail
Station: KING’S LYNN
Services to: CAMBRIDGE (for STEVENAGE)
Not on a direct service from the ‘Nidge, but not a problem either. All it takes to get to King’s Lynn is a quick change at Cambridge; your journey time just short of two hours in total.
Once you arrive in the Norfolk town, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the ground. Leave the station and head south. It’s then a slight left that’ll take you into the park. Turn left in here and follow the path towards The Walks cafe.
Bear right so that you pass with the cafe on your left-hand side. Next, follow the path as it bends around slightly to the right. The ground is all but straight in front of you at this point.
