Lincoln City F.C.

Lincoln City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. The team compete in 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 10,120-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 Football League sides Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town.

For the Gibraltarian football club, see Lincoln Red Imps F.C.

Lincoln City
Full nameLincoln City Football Club
Nickname(s)The Imps
Founded1884 (1884)
GroundSincil Bank
Capacity10,120[1]
ChairmanClive Nates[2]
ManagerMichael Appleton
LeagueLeague One
2019–20League One, 16th of 23
WebsiteClub website

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
Main article: History of Lincoln City F.C.
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 (previously the Third Division) on the last day of the end of the 2010–11 season. In the 2016–17 season of the National League (English football) (previously the Conference), Lincoln City under Danny Cowley were promoted as champions back to the Football League.

In the 2016–17 FA Cup, Lincoln beat Championship side Ipswich Town, in a replay, after progressing past Guiseley, Altrincham and Oldham Athletic, before defeating Championship leaders Brighton and Hove Albion at Sincil Bank to make the fifth round of the FA cup for the first time since the end of the Victorian era. On 18 February, Lincoln went on to beat top flight side Burnley 1–0 to historically go through to the FA Cup quarter final, the first time a non-league club had progressed to the last eight since 1914.[5][6] In the quarter finals, they were defeated 5–0 at Arsenal.[7]

In the 2017–18 season, on 6 February 2018, Lincoln beat Chelsea U21s in the semi-final of the 2017–18 EFL Trophy, taking them to Wembley Stadium for the first time in the 134 years of the club. They went on to win the final against Shrewsbury Town on 8 April 2018. The winning goal was scored by Elliot Whitehouse in the 16th minute and was the only goal of the match.[8] On 12 May Lincoln drew 0–0 with Exeter City F.C in the first leg of the League Two Playoff.[9] In the second leg, on 17 May, Lincoln lost 3–1.[10]

In the 2018–19 season, on 5 April 2019, Lincoln announced that Nettleham Ladies FC would be rebranded as Lincoln City Women from 1 June.[11] Lincoln won League Two, on 22 April 2019, after a 0–0 draw against Tranmere Rovers, having been top of the table since 25 August 2018. [12] Promotion from League Two represented Lincoln's first season in the EFL League One since the 1998-99 campaign.

Lincoln began their first season in the third tier in over twenty years with relative success, victorious in their first three games against Accrington Stanley, Rotherham and Southend.[13][14][15] On 9 September 2019 the team's then 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.[16]

Stadium
Main article: Sincil Bank
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 10,120[1] and is colloquially known to fans as "The Bank". It is overlooked by Lincoln Cathedral.[17] 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's 2–0 win over Scotland in the Victory Shield on 28 November 2008.[18] Martin Peters paraded the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the ground in March 2010 as part of its global tour.[19] FA WSL club Lincoln Ladies played home games at Sincil Bank in their 2011 season.[20] The Ladies' club had previously hosted Arsenal Ladies there in an FA Women's Cup semi-final in March 2008.[21]

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

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 are nowadays limited between the clubs.

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's logo used until 2001

Lincoln City currently sport a "traditional" Lincoln Imp badge, synonymous with the success of the 70s and 80s. The badge was returned in 2014, with general manager John Vickers billing it the start of a "new era".[22] 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.

Since 2015, the club's kits have been manufactured by Errea. Previous manufacturers have included Umbro (1973–78, 2007–11), Adidas (1978–83), Lowfields (1983–85), Osca (1985–87), Spall (1987–90), Matchwinner (1990–94), Admiral (1994–97), Super League (1997–99), Avec Sportswear (1999–2001), Imps Sport (2001–04), Lincoln City Collection (2004–06), Uhlsport (2006–07), and Nike (2011–15). Their current shirt sponsors are Peregrine Holdings.

Previous sponsors have included J.Arthur Bowers (1982), F&T Tyres (1983–89), Wheel Horse (1989–90), Pickfords (1990–91), Findalls (1991–92), Lincolnshire Echo (1992–98), Alstom (1998–2003), Siemens (2003–04), The Community Solutions Group (2004–06), Starglaze (2006–10), GoCar (2010–11), TSM (2011–13), Bishop Grosseteste University (2013–18), NSUK Asbestos Surveys (2018–19), SRP Hire (2019-20).

Current squad

First team
As of 7 February 2021[23]

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  ENG Alex Palmer (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
2 DF  WAL Regan Poole
4 DF  NED Lewis Montsma
5 DF  ENG Adam Jackson
6 MF  ENG Max Sanders
7 MF  ENG Tayo Edun
8 MF  SCO James Jones
9 FW  ENG Tom Hopper
10 MF  ENG Jorge Grant (vice captain)
11 FW  IRL Anthony Scully
14 FW  SCO Theo Archibald
15 DF  ENG Cohen Bramall
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF  WAL Joe Walsh
17 FW  ENG Ramirez Howarth
18 MF  SCO Conor McGrandles
19 FW  ENG Callum Morton (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
20 MF  WAL Brennan Johnson (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
22 DF  ENG TJ Eyoma (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
23 MF  SCO Liam Bridcutt (captain)
26 MF  ENG Harry Anderson (third captain)
27 FW  ENG Morgan Rogers (on loan from Manchester City)
30 DF  IRL Sean Roughan
31 GK  ENG Sam Long
33 DF  ENG Hayden Cann

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
3 DF  ENG Max Melbourne (on loan at Walsall)
25 MF  IRL Zachary Elbouzedi (on loan at Bolton Wanderers)
29 GK  ENG Ethan Ross (on loan at Weymouth)

Under 18s squad
As of 17 September 2020[24]

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  ENG Matt Boylan
— DF  IRL Bobby Deane
— DF  ENG Jasper Tetlow
— DF  POL Kacper Gruszczynski
— DF  ENG Josh Simpson
— DF  ENG Ziyad Al-Oyouni
32 MF  ENG Ben Sault
— MF  ENG Billy Brooks
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Ethan Hilton
— MF  ENG Haydn Tear
— MF  ENG Mehki Angol
— MF  IDN Jack Brown
— MF  ENG Cameo Scott
— FW  ENG Nathan Odekonyero
— FW  ENG Jovon Makama
34 FW  ENG Freddie Draper

Club management

Board members
Role Name
Chairman Clive Nates
Vice Chairman Jay Wright
Director Roger Bates
Director (RICT) Rob Bradley
Director Richard Clarke
Director Herman Kok
Director Greg Levine
Director David Lowes
Director/Sportvest Partner Sean Melnick
Director Ian Reeve
Chief Executive Officer Liam Scully
Director - Gold Trust Members Amanda Slater
Director Stephen Tointon

Backroom staff
Role Nationality Name
Manager Michael Appleton
Assistant Manager David Kerslake
First Team Development Coach Richard O'Donnell
First Team Goalkeeper Coach Steve Croudson
Head of Sports Science and Medicine Mike Hine
Lead Sports Scientist Luke Jelly
Sports Science & Medicine Assistant Luke Treadwell
Strength & Conditioning/Sports Massage Kieran Walker
Club Doctor Dr. Chris Batty
Assistant Sports Scientist Harry Rossington
Club Podiatrist Julian Soons
Director of Football Jez George

Managerial history
Name Nat From To Record
PWDLWin %
John Strawson Sep 1892 Feb 1896 97 31 11 55 31.96%
Alf Martin 1896 Mar 1897 359112425.71%
James West 1897 1900 10634225032.08%
David Calderhead 1 August 1900 1 August 1907 256895311434.77%
John Henry Strawson 1 August 1907 31 May 1914 195524010326.67%
George Fraser 1 August 1919 31 May 1921 4610102621.74%
David Calderhead Jr. 1 April 1921 31 May 1924 11837285331.36%
Horace Henshall 1 August 1924 1 May 1927 13251285338.64%
Harry Parkes 1 May 1927 1 May 1936 3951877813047.34%
Joe McClelland 1 May 1936 1 January 1946 14061275243.57%
Bill Anderson 1 January 1946 1 January 1965 85530718935935.91%
Con Moulson 1 January 1965 1 March 1965 800800.00%
Roy Chapman 1 March 1965 31 May 1966 6515133723.08%
Ron Gray 1 August 1966 1 July 1970 18460556932.61%
Bert Loxley 1 July 1970 1 March 1971 321241637.50%
David Herd 1 March 1971 6 December 1972 8230302236.59%
Graham Taylor 6 December 1972 20 June 1977 21197615345.97%
George Kerr 20 June 1977 1 December 1977 1854927.78%
Willie Bell 21 December 1977 23 October 1978 4011131627.50%
Colin Murphy 6 November 1978 1 May 1985 3091218810039.16%
John Pickering 1 July 1985 20 December 1985 24461416.67%
George Kerr 20 December 1985 7 March 1987 6117172727.87%
Peter Daniel 7 March 1987 1 May 1987 1225516.67%
Colin Murphy 26 May 1987 20 May 1990 10339263837.86%
Allan Clarke 3 June 1990 30 November 1990 1836916.67%
Steve Thompson 1 November 1990 31 May 1993 12848364437.50%
Keith Alexander 1 August 1993 16 May 1994 4813132227.08%
Sam Ellis 1 August 1994 4 September 1995 5621122337.50%
Steve Wicks 4 September 1995 16 October 1995 702500.00%
John Beck 16 October 1995 6 March 1998 13048424036.92%
Shane Westley 7 March 1998 11 November 1998 30951630.00%
John Reames 11 November 1998 1 June 2000 8730213634.48%
Phil Stant 1 June 2000 27 February 2001 3812101631.58%
Alan Buckley 28 February 2001 25 April 2002 6916242923.19%
Keith Alexander 5 May 2002 24 May 2006 21381696338.03%
John Schofield 15 June 2006 15 October 2007 5121121841.18%
Peter Jackson 30 October 2007 2 September 2009 9232213934.78%
Chris Sutton 28 September 2009 28 September 2010 5114142328.00%
Steve Tilson 15 October 2010 10 October 2011 371171929.73%
David Holdsworth 31 October 2011 17 February 2013 7121193129.57%
Gary Simpson 27 February 2013 3 November 2014 5823152039.65%
Chris Moyses 3 November 2014 12 May 2016 6422152734.38%
Danny Cowley 12 May 2016 9 September 2019 17695423953.98%
Michael Appleton 23 September 2019 Present 5726102145.61%

Honours

League

Football League Third Division North (3rd tier)

Football League Fourth Division / League Two (4th tier)

Conference / National League (5th tier)

Cup

Football League Trophy

Football League Group Trophy

Conference Championship Shield

  • Winners: 1988

Other/Youth and Reserve

Lincolnshire Senior Cup

  • 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

Midland League / Central League

  • Winners: 1889–90, 1908–09, 1911–125, 1920–21
  • Runners-up: 1932–33
  • Third-place: 1928–29

Highest finishes

Highest league finish

FA Cup

EFL Cup

FA Trophy

Club records
Source[26]

Notes
  1. "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.
  2. "Lincoln City appoint new chairman". bbc.co.uk. 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". Official Website. Lincoln City FC. 3 May 2002. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  5. "Burnley 0-1 Lincoln City". 18 February 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. "Lincoln City topple Burnley as Sean Raggett seals historic FA Cup shock". Guardian. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  7. "Arsenal 5-0 Lincoln City". 11 March 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  8. "Lincoln City lift Checkatrade Trophy after narrow win over Shrewsbury". Guardian. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  9. "Lincoln City 0-0 Exeter City". 12 May 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "Exeter City 3-1 Lincoln City (Agg 3-1)". 17 May 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. "Lincoln City Welcome Women's Football Team". www.redimps.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  12. "Lincoln City 0-0 Tranmere Rovers". 22 April 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  13. "Lincoln City 2-0 Accrington Stanley". 3 August 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  14. "Rotherham United 0-2 Lincoln City". 10 August 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. "Lincoln City 4-0 Southend United". 17 August 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49634696M
  17. David Conn (30 November 2009). "Lincoln look to supporters for survival". The Independent. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  18. "Lions win Victory Shield". The Football Association. 28 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  19. "Football World Cup trophy to be shown at Lincoln City". BBC. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  20. Tony Leighton (30 November 2009). "OOH Lincoln declare intention to join women's Super League in 2011". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  21. "Lincoln City Ladies v Arsenal Ladies". BBC Lincolnshire. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  22. "Lincoln City marks anniversary with red Imp return". BBC News. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  23. "First Team". Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  24. https://www.weareimps.com/academy/u18-squad/. Retrieved 21 April 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. "Lincoln City sign Akinde from Barnet". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  26. The Lincoln City FC Archive Archived 8 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Lincooln City FC, 26 March 2009
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