Former Lincoln City academy striker Connor Brown has taken the next step in his senior career after completing a move to Gainsborough Trinity.
The 20-year-old forward, who spent time with the Imps from under-nine level through to under-15s before joining Nottingham Forest, has signed for Trinity following an impressive campaign with Lincoln United.
Brown will already be a familiar name to many City supporters. Last summer, he returned to the club on trial after leaving Forest, featuring in the pre-season clash against Lincoln United as Michael Skubala assessed his options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
At the time, Brown was looking to reignite a promising career which had initially flourished at youth level with Forest. During his time at the City Ground, he scored 19 goals in the Under-18 Premier League and earned a reputation as a sharp, instinctive finisher. However, opportunities became limited at Under-21 level, and he was eventually released as part of a wider restructuring of Forest’s development pathway.
Rather than disappearing into the non-league system, Brown responded positively. He joined Lincoln United and adapted quickly to senior football, scoring 16 league goals in 34 matches in the Northern Premier League East Division, with 17 in all competitions. He bagged the winner against the Imps in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup and helped the Whites to a comfortable finish after relegation fears.
That form attracted attention from several clubs, with former Trinity boss Dave Frecklington overseeing part of his development at Ashby Avenue before Gainsborough moved to secure his signature.
Trinity manager Russ Wilcox believes the striker fits the profile the club is targeting this summer.
“We are delighted to have signed Connor. He will be a great fit for our group. He’s young, hungry and got ambition to keep developing.
“We have shown that we develop players. Dec and Will being great examples, with both playing in the National League next season.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Connor.”
Brown also reflected on the route his career has taken so far, beginning with his early years at Sincil Bank.
“I started my journey as a young lad at Lincoln City, where I played from U9s through to U15s.
“At 16, I made the move to Nottingham Forest, which was a big step in my development. I then signed my first professional contract with Forest at 17, and during my time in the Under-18 Premier League I managed to score 19 goals and register nine assists.”
The striker admitted he is eager to carry his recent momentum into the next stage of his career after making the move to the Northolme.
“Absolutely buzzing to sign for Gainsborough Trinity. It’s a great club and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it and can’t wait to get started.
“I am hoping to keep my momentum going from last year, which was my first year in men’s football, managing to score 17 goals in all competitions for Lincoln United.”
Brown’s progress will be another example of a local player continuing to carve out a career after emerging partly through the club’s academy system. While his second spell with the Imps never developed beyond a trial period, his rise through senior non-league football suggests there is still plenty of development ahead of him.
Comments Welcome!