Clithorp Town, a small club from North-East Lincolnshire playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, has repeatedly given fans and bettors moments of triumph. Founded in 1998 as Lincolnshire Soccer School, the team rose to the seventh tier of English football in the 2024–2025 season by winning Division One East.
Victory over Lincoln United in the 2022 FA Trophy
One of the highlights in Clithorp Town's history came on 22 October 2022 in the first round of the FA Trophy. The team hosted Lincoln United, a rival from the same Northern Premier League Division One North. Lincoln was considered the favourite: before the match, they were higher in the table, had a series of three consecutive wins and a strong squad with experienced players such as striker Nick Harvey. The odds for an away win at Mad Casino were 2.50, while the odds for a home win were around 2.80, with a draw at 3.20. Bettors who took a chance on Clithorp's won up to 1:3.5 on the exact score.
The match started tensely: Lincoln controlled the ball, making seven shots in the first half, but Clitheroe goalkeeper Harry Lowlor saved all the threats. In the 35th minute, Clitheroe midfielder Jamie McLaughlin broke through on the wing and passed to forward Bradley Horton, who scored from close range to make it 1-0. In the second half, Lincoln increased the pressure, but in the 68th minute, a mistake in the visitors' defence allowed Matt Scordillo to double the lead — 2:0. The visitors scored a goal in the 82nd minute, but Clithorpse held on to the lead. The final score was 2:1 in favour of the hosts.
This result was a sensation, as Clithorpse ended Lincoln's five-game unbeaten streak. Bettors who bet on Clithorpse to win or on a total of more than 2.5 goals (odds of 1.90) hit the jackpot.
Triumph in the 2019 Lincolnshire Senior Cup
In the Lincolnshire Senior Cup final on 8 May 2019, Clithorp Town faced Stamford. It was the peak of the season for both teams: Stamford led the United Counties League Premier Division, had 25 wins in 38 matches and was considered the clear favourite with odds of 1.75 to win. Clithorp Town, then still in the Northern Counties East League Division One, was rated at 4.00, with a draw at 3.50. Bets on the trophy for the hosts offered a 1:4 win, especially on penalties.
The game was played at Scunthorpe United Stadium in front of 500 spectators. The first half ended goalless: Stamford dominated, with nine shots on goal, but Clitheroe's defence, led by captain Alex Hearn, held firm. In the 52nd minute, Clitheroe opened the scoring with a goal from striker Curtis Richardson after a counterattack. Stamford responded in the 65th minute: John Mack equalised to make it 1-1. The match went into extra time, where both teams were tired, but in the 105th minute, Richardson scored his second goal, taking advantage of a mistake by the visiting goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Stamford equalised in the 118th minute, and the match went to penalties.
Clithorp won the shootout 5-3, with all of the home team's players converting their attempts, including the decisive kick from goalkeeper Lowlor. This trophy was the club's first ever Lincolnshire Senior Cup title. Bettors who backed Clithorp to win in regular time or on penalties received huge payouts.
Sensational Northern Premier League 2024
The 2023–2024 season in Northern Premier League Division One East brought Clithorp Town the championship title, but the key match took place on 13 April 2024 against Belper Town. Belper, the league favourites with 22 wins in 35 games, had odds of 1.90 to win, while Clithorp had odds of 3.75. Bets on the visitors offered 1:4.2, considering Clithorp's home advantage at Linden Club.
The match began with Belper pressing: they led 0-1 after a goal in the 22nd minute from James McCormack. Clithorp responded in the 40th minute with a goal from midfielder Danny Hatfield after a set piece, making it 1-1. In the second half, Belper missed chances, and in the 72nd minute, a Clithorpse counterattack ended with a goal from forward Horton, making it 2-1. The visitors increased the pressure, but goalkeeper Lawlor made a save in the 88th minute, and in added time, Clitheroe scored their third goal, making it 3-1, courtesy of Scorgill.
This victory secured Clitheroe's lead and promotion to the Premier Division. Bettors on a draw or a home win won big: a well-known case is £52,000 from a £10,000 bet on the exact score of 3-1 (odds of 5.20).