Greenbank Football Club was originally thought of back in Easter 1978. Rick Guest, who was then only 9 years old, asked his dad Geoff if he would referee a game involving his school friends during the Easter holidays. Geoff accepted the invitation and the match took place on Greenbank Park (off De-Wint Avenue).

During the match Geoff was quite surprised at the standard of football being played and when he returned home he mentioned to his wife that he was considering starting a team. The following day he had a word with Phil Franklyn whose son Neil was a good friend of his son Rick and Greenbank Football Club was formed.

That first summer training began and fund raising started by selling club cards. The club at this this stage was still without an official kit, but with most the players either supporting Liverpool, Nottingham Forest or Manchester United, they all had red shirts so that was what they played in.

Original 1978 Team

Photograph of the original Greenbank team taken prior to their first match on September 7th 1978.

Back Row: (Left to Right)
JASON LAW, GARY MORGAN, MARK BETTS, ROBERT BRADFORD, SEAN SINCLAIR, MARK BRIDGE,
NEIL FRANKLYN

Front Row: (Left to Right)
JOHN SAMPSON, CRAIG COCKET, DAVID BRADFORD, SEAN BUTCHER, RICK GUEST, DARREN STATHAM

Many thanks to Andrew Holderness for supplying the photograph.

The first season they played mostly friendlies; their first competitive game came on Sunday 7th September against Manor United ending in a 18-0 defeat, but what had to be remembered was that the Manor boys were all one year older. Geoff and Phil were not deterred and things started to gradually improve, so much so that the following year saw the team enter the Lindsey and Kesteven League at under 11, not only did they win the league but also the cup, winning 15 of their 18 games during their campaign.

Terry Atkin came on board about six months later and formed an Under 8 team, mostly players from Manor Leas school which his son played for. It again proved very successful with them winning the double league and cup, beating Bracebridge Heath in the final at Navenby 1-0, Noel Slattery scoring the winner.

Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and this year has 15 teams playing competitive football in the Mid Lincs Leagues. Of the two boys mentioned, Rick Guest is still with the club, now playing his 20th Season. Neil Franklyn now lives in Sweden, playing 2nd Division football, moving there after playing for Lincoln City.