GTFC hopes its backing will score a win for Town of Culture bid

Riding high on their 5-0 weekend win, Grimsby Town Football Club has thrown its backing behind the bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.

Football plays a huge part in Grimsby’s culture, acting as a communal heartbeat, and uniting people across generations through shared identity, heritage, and emotion.

More than 7,000 people, including fans from Iceland, Germany & Norway, attended last weekend’s match against Barrow, and GTFC Head Coach, David Artell, said: “I am backing GY28 in recognition of our fantastic fans, and as a reward for a brilliant town.”

He was joined by GTFC left winger, Charles Vernam, who said: “I am backing Grimsby to become UK Town of Culture because it is where all of my family and friends are from.”

Local creatives, businesses, organisations, community groups and residents have all united behind the town’s expression of interest, which showcases Grimsby’s creative ambition. The bid has also secured cross‑group support from local councillors.

The history of Grimsby Town FC and the role the club has played within the community for almost 150 years was showcased in two recently released documentaries produced in partnership between the Club and Heritage TV and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Heritage Documentary Celebrating Mariners History Premieres at Blundell Park – Grimsby Town Football Club

The whole town is uniting behind the bid to be Town of Culture 2028, proving the depth of feeling for a competition that would celebrate Grimsby’s heritage on a national stage. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to support the bid.

Grimsby’s expression of interest is backed by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), Horizon Youth Zone, local businesses, political leaders, and the creative and heritage sector. The opening of the new Horizon Youth Zone marks the latest milestone in a period of significant cultural investment in the town. Horizon is working closely with NELC on developing the bid.

Since 2023, the Create North East Lincolnshire programme has helped secure more than £9.45 million of investment through over 100 collaborative bids to bodies, including Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Final preparations are now being made to Grimsby’s expression of interest, which must be submitted by next Tuesday March 31 2026, and evidence of the overwhelming support from the community will be included in the bid.

How to get involved

Residents, organisations and supporters can still show their support by:

• using #GY28 on social media, and completing a short online survey Grimsby Town of Culture 2028 | QuestionPro Survey 

More information about the bid is available here UK Town of Culture | NELC

Grimsby will submit its initial expression of interest on Tuesday March 31. A shortlist will be announced in the Spring 2026, with final bids due Autumn 2026. The winner will be announced early 2027, receiving £3-million to deliver a year‑long programme in 2028. Two runners‑up will receive £250,000 each.

The Town of Culture programme follows the success of UK City of Culture, most notably Hull 2017, which generated more than £300-million of investment and significantly boosted tourism.