As little as two weeks ago defeat at eighth placed Radcliffe could still have seen the Holy Blues slip back into the bottom two. That's how steep the climb has been. A club with a heritage that had hosted a second division football League club against impossible odds came through it in true inittogether fashion.
The manager Curtis Woodhouse and his infectious assistant Martin Foster deserve the utmost credit for this. They have not only assembled the jigsaw under great pressure to make the pieces fit instantly, but, they have additionally had to deal with the problem of moving out players who are on secure contracts. Work ethic, belief and a pride in an historic institution translates to valuing their shirt, something badge kissing Premier League players would never do.
Those he has brought in have bought in to what it means to play for Gainsborough, a football institution he clearly prizes highly. Ours is a team with heritage, albeit down on its luck, that will always have an accepted pedigree within the game. In football while form and therefore league position is transient and temporary, reputation borne of history, like class is permanent. The inherited side was a decent one on paper, but clearly it did not function where it matters, on the pitch. In the early Woodhouse era we were fantastic going forward with four at Dunston and five at Tamworth, 
but lacked the legs and Leaders who can inspire when the chips are down. Simon Russell apart the class on paper did not translate into warriors on the park. In the NPL teams win the war of attrition before they earn the right to enjoy that right to play.
The catalyst along with the return of Stainfield, is one who by his own admission is rarely liked. But he has invigorated James 'aka the Viking’ and allowed fellow survivor Green to blossom as a fullback. Gregg Smith, is an inspirational man mountain in the traditional centre-forward mould. He mixes immovable mountain with irresistible force, combining true brit grit with the silky stills that lead the line upon which the Trinity train so smoothly clicks. He would have fitted right during The Football League decades and is pound for pound doing us proud as we claw our way back from a modern day abyss.
Even in the warm up before the trips to Radcliffe and Atherton he was inspiring the players and it spreads like wild fire. This side has fight but it also has energy, communication and a common desire to win. In reality that builds on the training ground behind closed doors but the fans can appreciate this each and every match day and buy into the building belief too. Some achievement from two nights a week from lads after a full day at work who are still determined enough to put in a full shift on a cold Saturday in Manchester.
Hard work and desire fashioned in passion is evening up the odds as the Blues bounce back. How else could Williamson, Thornton, Green and Stainfield have forged such a formidable back four so quickly. Alex Wiles, Michael Williams and Nicky Walker have hit the ground running, feeding off Smiths ability to battle for the ball and then bring others into play. Wiles bagged a brace on his debut and Walker a hat - trick, putting some pressure on the next inbound to take a bow.
Contributed by Neil Gentleman-Hobbs