Lincoln City
Full nameLincoln City Football Club
Nickname(s)The Imps
Founded1884 (1884)
GroundSincil Bank
Capacity10,669[1]
ChairmanClive Nates[2]
ManagerMichael Skubala
LeagueEFL League One
2022–23EFL League One, 11th of 24
WebsiteClub website

Lincoln City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. The team competes in EFL League One, the third tier of the English football league system.

Nicknamed the "Imps" after the legend of the Lincoln Imp, they have played at 10,669-capacity Sincil Bank since their move from John O'Gaunts in 1895. Traditionally they play in red and white striped shirts with black shorts and red and white socks. They hold rivalries with other Lincolnshire clubs, particularly Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town. Founded in 1884, Lincoln won the Midland League in 1889–90, their first full season playing league football. They moved on from the Football Alliance to become founder members of the Football League Second Division in 1892, remaining there until they failed re-election in 1908. They won immediate re-election after winning the next year's Midland League, and would repeat this feat after failing re-election again in 1911 and 1920. Founder members of the Football League Third Division North in 1921, they won promotion as champions in 1931–32, but were relegated two seasons later. Crowned Third Division North champions again in 1947–48, they were relegated the next year, but would remain in the second tier for nine seasons after again winning the Third Division North title in 1951–52. Two successive relegations left them in the Fourth Division by 1962, where they would remain until Graham Taylor's title winning campaign of 1975–76.

Relegated in 1978–79, they secured promotion again two years later but suffered a double relegation to find themselves in the Conference by 1987. Lincoln made an immediate recovery however, regaining their Football League status with the Conference title in 1987–88. They were promoted again in 1997–98, but were relegated the next season. They reached the play-offs in five consecutive seasons, from 2002 to 2007, losing in the final twice (2002–03 and 2004–05) and the semi-finals three times, which is a competition record. However they exited the division at the other end when they were returned to the Conference after relegation at the end of the 2010–11 campaign. A six-season stay in non-League was ended when Cowley brothers Nicky and Danny led the club to the National League title in 2016–17, as well as a run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – this made them the first non-League side to reach that stage in 103 years. They won the EFL Trophy in 2018 and the League Two title in 2018–19.

History

Chart of table positions of Lincoln City in the Football League

Football in the city of Lincoln had been prominent since the 1860s although not strictly connected to the modern day club. After the disbanding of Lincoln Rovers (formerly Lincoln Recreation) in 1884, Lincoln City FC was formed as an amateur football association, and the first game Lincoln played was an emphatic 9–1 victory over local rivals Sleaford, on 4 October 1884. Originally they played at the John O'Gaunts ground, provided by wealthy local brewer Robert Dawber.

Lincoln turned professional in the 1891–92 season, and soon helped to form what was then the Second Division in 1892–93 season, as an increasing number of clubs wished to join the Football League. Their first game in the Football League was a 4–2 away defeat to Sheffield United on 3 September 1892.[3] Their first home game was also against Sheffield United, this time, however, Lincoln won 1–0. Due to Dawber's death in 1895, Lincoln moved from the John O'Gaunts Ground to Sincil Bank.

Lincoln fans do a card display before a match against Swindon

They failed re-election to the Football League in 1908. They won immediate re-election after winning the next year's Midland League, and would repeat this feat after failing re-election again in 1911 and 1920. Founder members of the Football League Third Division North in 1921, they won promotion as champions in 1931–32, but were relegated two seasons later. Crowned Third Division North champions again in 1947–48, they were relegated the next year, but would remain in the second tier for nine seasons after again winning the Third Division North title in 1951–52. Two successive relegations left them in the Fourth Division by 1962, where they would remain until Graham Taylor's title winning campaign of 1975–76. The next would oscillate between the Third and Fourth division for the next 10 years, missing out on promotion to the Second Division in 1982 and 1983.

Lincoln were relegated to the Fourth Division at the end of the 1985–86 season, and the year after that they became the first team to suffer automatic relegation from the Football League. They regained their Football League place automatically via promotion as champions of the Conference at the first attempt. In the 1997–98 season, Lincoln were promoted from the Third Division (previously the Fourth Division), but were immediately relegated back on the next season. On 3 May 2002 Lincoln entered into administration.[4] Lincoln City were relegated again from League Two on the last day of the end of the 2010–11 season after a home defeat to Aldershot Town.[5]

In the 2016–17 season, Lincoln City under Danny Cowley were promoted as champions back to the Football League.[6] In the 2016–17 FA Cup, Lincoln beat Championship side Ipswich Town, and Championship leaders Brighton and Hove Albion before defeating top flight side Burnley 1–0 to reach the quarter-final, the first time a non-League club had progressed to the last eight since 1913–14.[7][8] In the quarter-finals, they were defeated 5–0 at Arsenal.[9]

In the 2017–18 season, Lincoln won the EFL Trophy by beating Shrewsbury Town 1–0 in the final in their first visit to Wembley Stadium.[10][11] After an unsuccessful play-off campaign in their first season back in the EFL,[12] Lincoln were promoted as champions at the end of the 2018–19 season.[13]

On 5 April 2019, Lincoln announced that Nettleham Ladies FC would be rebranded as Lincoln City Women from 1 June.[14]

On 9 September 2019, manager Danny Cowley announced his departure to join Championship side Huddersfield Town, having guided Lincoln to two promotions in his previous three seasons alongside brother and assistant manager Nicky.[15] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Football League matches were suspended on 13 March 2020 with Lincoln in 15th place. Clubs voted to end the season in June 2020 with final league positions decided on a points per game basis with Lincoln subsequently being placed in 16th.

In the 2020–21 season, Lincoln finished the season in 5th place, qualifying for the play-offs. After defeating Sunderland in the semi-finals, the first match fans could attend since the start of the pandemic, Lincoln lost the play-off final to Blackpool.[16][17][18]

Stadium

The Lincolnshire Echo Stand at Lincoln's Ground, Sincil Bank

The club have played at Sincil Bank since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,669[19] and is colloquially known to fans as "The Bank". It is overlooked by Lincoln Cathedral.[20] Former Lincoln City chairman John Reames re-purchased the ground from the local council in 2000 at a cost of £175,000. The club had sold it in 1982 for £225,000 to fend off the threat of eviction, arranging a 125-year lease.

Sincil Bank hosted England U16's 2–0 win over the Scotland U16 team in the Victory Shield on 28 November 2008.[21] Martin Peters paraded the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the ground in March 2010 as part of its global tour.[22] FA WSL club Lincoln Ladies played home games at Sincil Bank in their 2011 season.[23] The Ladies' club had previously hosted Arsenal Ladies there in an FA Women's Cup semi-final in March 2008.[24]

Rivals

The Lincolnshire derby, between Lincoln City and local rivals Boston United, being played at Sincil Bank

Lincoln City is one of three professional football clubs in Lincolnshire. Lincoln City's main rivals are Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United, which at various points fans have considered one bigger than the other. Other prominent Lincolnshire rivals of the past include Gainsborough Trinity and Boston United, however, meetings between the clubs are limited nowadays.

Nottinghamshire clubs Mansfield Town and Notts County are also considered rivals, and Peterborough United, Hull City and York City are clubs that have had some sort of rivalry with The Imps in the past. Lincoln United, the other football club based in Lincoln, are further down the footballing pyramid and are not a considered rival.

Badge and colours

Badge

Lincoln City currently sport a "traditional" Lincoln Imp badge, synonymous with the success of the 1970s and 1980s. The badge was returned in 2014, with general manager John Vickers billing it the start of a "new era".[25] Between the two spells the club used two badges, the first of which being the city's heraldic shield with the letters "L.C.F.C" inscribed onto it. This badge was used until 2001, when the club used a similar design; however, it featured a yellow imp in the centre, with the nickname of "The Imps" written across.

Colours

Traditionally, the colours and design of the Lincoln City strip are a red and white striped shirt along with black shorts and red socks. This varied in the late 1960s and early 70s, the club opted to field a predominantly red strip with white shorts, and also in the 2000–01 season when the shirt was quartered red and white with white shorts. Currently, the home kit is largely red with white pinstriping down the length of the shirt, as well as black and white accents around the collar and cuff of the shirt. The shorts of the kit are also largely black, sporting red accents, and the socks red with black and white accents. Their away kit has never retained any single pattern or design, and areas varied vastly throughout the seasons, but is currently black across the shirt, shorts and socks with red accents on the edges of each piece. In recent years, the club have also released a third kit. Currently, the kit is green in colour, with a chevron pattern across it. This kit features white accents on the shirt, and white shorts with green accents.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

The following tables detail the kit suppliers and sponsors of Lincoln City by year:[26]

Period Kit Supplier Shirt Front Sponsor
1973–1978 Umbro
1978–1982 Adidas
1982–1983 J. Arthur Bowers
1983–1985 Lowfields F&T Tyres
1985–1987 Osca
1987–1989 Spall
1989–1990 Wheel Horse
1990–1991 Matchwinner Pickford
1991–1992 Findalls
1992–1994 Lincolnshire Echo
1994–1997 Admiral
1997–1998 Super League
1998–1999 Alstom
1999–2001 AVEC
2001–2003 Imps Sport
2003–2004 Siemens
2004–2006 Lincoln City Collection The Community Solutions Group
2006–2007 Uhlsport Starglaze
2007–2010 Umbro
2010–2011 GoCar
2011–2013 Nike TSM
2013–2015 Bishop Grosseteste University
2015–2018 Erreà
2018–2019 NSUK Asbestos Surveys
2019–2020 SR Hire
2020–2021 Peregrine Holdings[notes 1]
2021–2022[notes 2][27] Virgin Wines (Home 1/5)
Light Source (Home 2/5)
Buildbase (Home 3/5)
University of Lincoln (Home 4/5)
Branston Ltd (Home 5/5)
SRP Hire (Away)
2022–2023 Branston Ltd
2023–present Oxen

Current squad

First team

As of 12 January 2024 [28]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Denmark DEN Lukas Jensen
2 MF Denmark DEN Lasse Sørensen
3 DF England ENG Jaden Brown
4 DF Netherlands NED Lewis Montsma
5 DF England ENG Adam Jackson
6 MF Scotland SCO Ethan Erhahon
7 FW Saint Lucia LCA Reeco Hackett-Fairchild
8 MF England ENG Alistair Smith
9 FW Wales WAL Joe Taylor (on loan from Luton Town)
10 MF England ENG Teddy Bishop
11 MF Scotland SCO Ethan Hamilton
12 GK England ENG Jordan Wright
14 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Danny Mandroiu
15 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Paudie O'Connor (captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF Scotland SCO Jack Burroughs (on loan from Coventry City)
17 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Dylan Duffy
18 FW Scotland SCO Ben House
19 FW England ENG Tyler Walker
21 FW England ENG Hakeeb Adelakun
22 DF England ENG TJ Eyoma
23 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sean Roughan
25 DF England ENG Alex Mitchell (on loan from Millwall)
26 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Oisin Gallagher
27 FW England ENG Jovon Makama
28 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jack Moylan
33 DF England ENG Hayden Cann
34 FW England ENG Freddie Draper

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
20 DF England ENG Jay Benn (on loan to Solihull Moors)
31 GK Scotland SCO Sam Long (on loan to Falkirk)
No. Pos. Nation Player
32 DF England ENG Elicha Ahui (on loan to Ayr United)
46 FW England ENG Charley Kendall (on loan to Dagenham & Redbridge)

Under 18s squad

As of 21 November 2023[29]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Isle of Man Isle of Man Isaac Allan
GK England ENG Nicolae-Mario Vasiloiu
DF England ENG Kelly Fombad
DF England ENG Resharne McLean
38 DF England ENG Charlie Parks
MF England ENG Julian Donnery
MF England ENG Carter Ford
MF England ENG Jersey Lopez
No. Pos. Nation Player
37 MF England ENG Gbolahan Okewoye
MF England ENG Denny Oliver
MF England ENG Louis Nesbitt
MF England ENG Kye Perkins
FW England ENG Bailey Adamson
FW England ENG Russell Berko
FW England ENG Zane Okoro
FW England ENG Dakara Wifa

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF England ENG MJ Kamson-Kamara (on loan to Barwell)

Club management

Board members

As of 12 October 2023[30]
Role Name
Chairman Clive Nates
Vice Chairman Jay Wright
Director Roger Bates
Director (RICT) Rob Bradley
Director Sunil Hindocha
Director Harvey Jabara
Director Herman Kok
Director Greg Levine
Director David Lowes
Director/SportVEST partner Sean Melnick
Director Graham Rossini
Chief Executive Officer Liam Scully
Director - Gold Trust Members Amanda-Jane Slater
Director Stephen Tointon
Director Chris Travers
Director Pablo Webster
Director of Football Jez George
Strategic Advisor Landon Donovan

Backroom staff

As of 13 November 2023[31]
Role Name
Head Coach England Michael Skubala
Assistant Head Coach England Tom Shaw
Assistant Head Coach England Chris Cohen
Goalkeeping Coach England Scott Fry
Head of Medical England Kieran Walker
First Team Physiotherapist England Elliott Howell
First Team Sports Scientist England Harry Rossington
First Team Analyst England Logan Hughes
Senior Performance Coach England Mark Pease
Lead Sports Therapist England Tom Hallas
Kit Manager England Terry Bourne
Chief Scout England Marc Tracy

Managerial history

As of 16 December 2023
Name Nat. From To Record
PWDLWin %
John Strawson England September 1892 February 1896 97 31 11 55 31.96%
Alf Martin England 1896 March 1897 359112425.71%
James West England 1897 1900 10634225032.08%
David Calderhead Scotland 1 August 1900 1 August 1907 256895311434.77%
John Henry Strawson England 1 August 1907 31 May 1914 195524010326.67%
George Fraser Scotland 1 August 1919 31 May 1921 4610102621.74%
David Calderhead Jr. Scotland 1 April 1921 31 May 1924 11837285331.36%
Horace Henshall England 1 August 1924 1 May 1927 13251285338.64%
Harry Parkes England 1 May 1927 1 May 1936 3951877813047.34%
Joe McClelland England 1 May 1936 1 January 1946 14061275243.57%
Bill Anderson England 1 January 1946 1 January 1965 85530718935935.91%
Con Moulson Republic of Ireland 1 January 1965 1 March 1965 800800.00%
Roy Chapman England 1 March 1965 31 May 1966 6515133723.08%
Ron Gray England 1 August 1966 1 July 1970 18460556932.61%
Bert Loxley England 1 July 1970 1 March 1971 321241637.50%
David Herd Scotland 1 March 1971 6 December 1972 8230302236.59%
Graham Taylor England 6 December 1972 20 June 1977 21197615345.97%
George Kerr Scotland 20 June 1977 1 December 1977 1854927.78%
Willie Bell Scotland 21 December 1977 23 October 1978 4011131627.50%
Colin Murphy England 6 November 1978 1 May 1985 3091218810039.16%
John Pickering England 1 July 1985 20 December 1985 24461416.67%
George Kerr Scotland 20 December 1985 7 March 1987 6117172727.87%
Peter Daniel England 7 March 1987 1 May 1987 1225516.67%
Colin Murphy England 26 May 1987 20 May 1990 10339263837.86%
Allan Clarke England 3 June 1990 30 November 1990 1836916.67%
Steve Thompson England 1 November 1990 31 May 1993 12848364437.50%
Keith Alexander Saint Lucia 1 August 1993 16 May 1994 4813132227.08%
Sam Ellis England 1 August 1994 4 September 1995 5621122337.50%
Steve Wicks England 4 September 1995 16 October 1995 702500.00%
John Beck England 16 October 1995 6 March 1998 13048424036.92%
Shane Westley England 7 March 1998 11 November 1998 30951630.00%
John Reames England 11 November 1998 1 June 2000 8730213634.48%
Phil Stant England 1 June 2000 27 February 2001 3812101631.58%
Alan Buckley England 28 February 2001 25 April 2002 6916242923.19%
Keith Alexander Saint Lucia 5 May 2002 24 May 2006 21381696338.03%
John Schofield England 15 June 2006 15 October 2007 5121121841.18%
Peter Jackson England 30 October 2007 2 September 2009 9232213934.78%
Chris Sutton England 28 September 2009 28 September 2010 5114142328.00%
Steve Tilson England 15 October 2010 10 October 2011 371171929.73%
David Holdsworth England 31 October 2011 17 February 2013 7121193129.57%
Gary Simpson England 27 February 2013 3 November 2014 5823152039.65%
Chris Moyses England 3 November 2014 12 May 2016 6422152734.38%
Danny Cowley England 12 May 2016 9 September 2019 17695423953.98%
Michael Appleton England 23 September 2019 30 April 2022 14355335538.5%
Mark Kennedy Republic of Ireland 12 May 2022 18 October 2023 7325272134.2%
Michael Skubala England 13 November current 723228.6%

Honours and achievements

Lincoln City's honours include:[32]

League

Cup

Minor

  • Conference Championship Shield
    • Winners: 1988
  • Lincolnshire Senior Cup: 38
    • Winners (38): 1886–87, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1893–94, 1907–08, 1909–10, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1914–15, 1919–20, 1921–22, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1926–27, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1945–46, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1955–566, 1961–62, 1963–646, 1965–666, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1974–75, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2013–14
    • Runners-up (32): 1892–93, 1894–95, 1896–97, 1900–01, 1902–03, 1903–04, 1908–09, 1912–13, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1932–33, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1954–55, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1985–86, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15
  • Pontin's Reserve League Cup
    • Winners: 2006–07
  • Fred Green Memorial Trophy3
    • Winners: 2006–07
  • John Reames Memorial Trophy
    • Winners: 2013–14

Club records

Source[35]

Notes

  1. Peregrine Capital is a South African company co-founded by club Chairman Clive Nates
  2. For the 2021–2022 Season the Imps had five different shirt sponsors for the home kit, who featured throughout the season

References

  1. "Fan-led projects lead to change in capacity". Lincoln City FC. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. "Lincoln City appoint new chairman". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  3. Steve Pearce (1997). "Shoot, The ultimate stats and facts guide to English League Football, p.130". Boxtree.
  4. "City go into administration". Lincoln City FC. 3 May 2002. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  5. Grahame Lloyd (9 May 2011). "Aldershot knock freefalling Lincoln City into a Blue Square hat". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  6. "Lincoln City return to Football League with victory against Macclesfield". The Guardian. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  7. "Burnley 0–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 18 February 2017.
  8. "Lincoln City topple Burnley as Sean Raggett seals historic FA Cup shock". Guardian. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  9. "Arsenal 5–0 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 11 March 2017.
  10. "Checkatrade Trophy: Lincoln beat Chelsea U21s to reach final". BBC Sport. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  11. "Lincoln City lift Checkatrade Trophy after narrow win over Shrewsbury". Guardian. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  12. "Exeter City 3–1 Lincoln City (Agg 3-1)". BBC Sport. 17 May 2018.
  13. "Lincoln City 0–0 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 22 April 2019.
  14. "Lincoln City Welcome Women's Football Team". www.redimps.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  15. Whiley, Mark (9 September 2019). "Recap as the Cowleys leave City for Huddersfield". LincolnshireLive. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  16. Owen Phillips (19 May 2021). "Lincoln City 2–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  17. "Sunderland 2–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  18. "Blackpool 2–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  19. "10 Things You Never Knew About The Imps". Wrexham Football Club. 22 January 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  20. David Conn (30 November 2009). "Lincoln look to supporters for survival". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  21. "Lions win Victory Shield". The Football Association. 28 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  22. "Football World Cup trophy to be shown at Lincoln City". BBC. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  23. Tony Leighton (30 November 2009). "OOH Lincoln declare intention to join women's Super League in 2011". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  24. "Lincoln City Ladies v Arsenal Ladies". BBC Lincolnshire. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  25. "Lincoln City marks anniversary with red Imp return". BBC News. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  26. "Lincoln City - Historical Football Kits". Historical Football Kits. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  27. Karran, Ellis (17 May 2021). "Lincoln City unveil first of five shirt sponsors for next season". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  28. "First Team". Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  29. "Lincoln City Under 18's". Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  30. "Board Member and Key Investors". Lincoln City FC. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  31. "First Team Management". Lincoln City FC. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  32. "Club History - Club Honours". Lincoln City FC. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  33. 1 2 3 "Lincoln City". European Football Statistics. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  34. "Lincoln City sign Akinde from Barnet". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  35. The Lincoln City FC Archive Archived 8 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Lincooln City FC, 26 March 2009
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