Gainsborough announce Shaw as their new head coach

Shaw, 34, will combine the role with his current positions as professional development phase lead coach at Lincoln City and head football coach at Nottingham Trent University, following a career where he gained extensive playing experience in non-league football, including over 250 appearances in the National League top division with Rushden & Diamonds, Cambridge United, Alfreton Town and Chester.

And Trinity chairman Richard Kane told the club’s official website that he’s delighted to have such a promising young coach on board.

He said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Tom’s calibre to the club and are equally grateful to our friends at Lincoln City for their support.

“I have met with Liam Scully (CEO) and Jez George (director of football) on a several occasions over the last few months to discuss our ambitions and challenges. Our identification and recruitment of Tom is ultimately an outcome of these open conversations.”

Trinity continue to build their links with Lincoln City with Shaw’s arrival, the club already hosting Imps’ academy fixtures and facing City in county cup and pre-season friendly matches.

Kane added: “We are unanimous in our belief that we must operate differently in order to compete at this level and have any aspiration of progressing higher in the future, especially with the current challenging financial landscape of non-league football.

"Having met Tom, and hearing his vision for the team, the board and I are excited about this opportunity for Gainsborough Trinity, including the opportunity to develop the relationship further with our close neighbours at Lincoln City."