Gainsborough unveil management duo

The pair step up from within the club following the departure of Tom Shaw, who had re-built a squad with an average age of just 21.

Bishop made more than 40 appearances for the Holy Blues last season, at the age of 40, at the end of a stellar career in the professional game that saw spells at Mansfield, Scunthorpe, Notts County, York and Scarborough.

Parkinson, 34, was previously assistant to Dave Frecklington at Frickley and also had a spell at Newark Town as joint manager.

He told the club’s official website: “I am really pleased to have been asked to join Neal in managing Gainsborough Trinity Football Club.

"The board have a clear vision for the style of football they expect and the profile of players they want to see at the club. They were clear they wanted to continue to build on the solid foundations and identity laid last season by Tom, who did a fantastic job.

"We have already started planning and are looking to forward to seeing all of the supporters during pre-season.”

Bishop added: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be asked to be manager of Gainsborough Trinity alongside Damon.

"We share many core beliefs of how the game should be played and are committed to continuing with the brand of football that Tom instilled in the group last season.

"We are determined to give our supporters a team this town can be proud of and work is going on behind the scenes to ensure this is the case!”