History Of Lincoln City Football Club

By April 2002, the future of Lincoln City FC hung by a thread, as the club required £75,000 to be granted administration, the catch being that they had 14-days to raise the cash.

Frantic fundraising efforts by the club's supporters who sought the help of fellow football fans around the country, plus a lenient High Court judge who gave Lincoln an extra 4 days, succeeded in raising the required money.

Administrator Mike Ellingworth was appointed and he oversaw a rescue package that has saved the club's future for 2 more years. The problem now, was that drastic cutbacks had been made, including the dismissal of manager Alan Buckley, combined with many departures from the playing staff.

Former manager Keith Alexander took on the challenge of leading debt-ridden Lincoln City for the 2002/03 season. His first task was to replace nearly the entire 2001/02 squad, but on a £3,000 budget; his only option was to recruit players on free transfers from non-league clubs. Unsurprisingly, Lincoln were tipped for relegation from Division 3, a fact that seemed even more unavoidable when the Football League agreed to 2 up, 2 down from the Conference.

Lincoln began the 2002/03 season well, albeit their tactics were heavily criticised; no-one expected the winning streak to last, yet somehow, Alexander shaped his squad into play-off participants. Following a thrilling 6-3 aggregate victory over Scunthorpe United in the play-off's, Lincoln City reached their first ever national final. Alas, the Division 3 Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium was one game too many and Lincoln succumb to Bournemouth 5-2, who gained promotion to Division 2 at Lincoln's expense.

Lincoln City supporters did not know what ton expect of the 2003/04 season. Many felt that Lincoln's players had exceeded expectations the previous season and expected a mid-table finish. They were to be proved wrong, as Lincoln City reached the play-off's for the second consecutive season. Controversially, they lost on aggregate to Huddersfield in the play-off semi-final to leave City disappointed yet again.

Season 2004/05 began badly for Lincoln, with only two wins from their opening 11 matches. They turned their season in mid-December when Alexander started deploying a three-man midfield of Richard Butcher, Peter Gain and Ciaran Toner. However, in February, Lincoln pressed their self-destruct button when Toner and striker Marcus Richardson were suspended from the club. There were also rumours of a mess exodus of out of contract players plus Alexander.

Against the odds, The Imps stumbled to the League Two Play-off Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Once again, their trip was to end in heartbreak, as their opponents Southend won 2-0 after extra time to condemn Lincoln to yet another season in League Two.

The 2005/06 season would live long in the memory, albeit for all the wrong reasons. The Imps had endured an indifferent first half of the season, with some supporters openingly criticising Alexander and his tactics. However, few expected the board to act, yet on January 1st 2006 they placed Alexander and his assistant Gary Simpson on "gardening leave" for undisclosed reasons. The actual events behind this story would never emerge in full but the outcome was that two directors left the club, with Alexander and Simpson returning. The events seemed to act as a catalyst as Lincoln went on a long unbeaten stretch, which would ultimately end with play-off qualification. Two play-off games against Grimsby Town followed but Lincoln were defeated on aggregate in the semi-final.

Within days of Lincoln losing to Grimsby, they were dealt another blow as Alexander left for good under mutual consent. Rumours of his imminent appointment as Peterborough United manager proved true, so Alexander and Lincoln embarked on another League One season albeit on different sides. Lincoln turned to first team coach John Schofield as their new Head Coach with John Deehan appointed as Director of Football. Many Lincoln fans were apprehensive about the inexperienced Schofield but their fears were quickly allayed as Lincoln stormed to the top of the table whilst playing attractive football. Alas they could not sustain their form although they did enough to achieve a fifth play-off qualification. Unfortuantely, Lincoln were easily defeated by eventual winners Bristol Rovers in the League Two play-off semi-finals.

The summer of 2007 was always going to be a crucial one for Schofield and Deehan as they had to replace several players while strengthening the side for automatic promotion. With hindsight the mistake of Schofield's reign was signing 36-year-old striker Steve Torpey on a free transfer from rivals Scunthorpe United. This fuelled the minority belief that The Imps lacked ambition, especially as fans' favourite Spencer Weir Daley - who had impressed while on loan at Lincoln City - joined divisional rivals Notts County. Daley was only 21 years old compared to Torpey's 36.

The season began badly for Lincoln as they lost 4-0 at home to Shrewsbury Town on the opening day of the season - Torpey was booed by his own fans. By October 2007 Lincoln were heading for relegation from the Football League, so drastic action was taken, as Imps' Chairman Steff Wright sacked Schofield and Deehan. Schofield had only signed a three -year contract during the summer.

Replacing Schofield was Peter Jackson, whom had not applied for the vacant manager's job. Jackson had been headhunted and it was quickly apparent why, as the charismatic leader galvanised The Imps into avoiding relegation. Their form over the 2008 part of the season was play-off form but with such a bad start, The Imps were forced to settle for a 16th place finish.

In March 2008, Lincoln City FC was hit by the bad news that Jackson was suffering from throat cancer and would be absent from his job while undergoing treatment. It is hoped that Jackson will quickly return to the club to inspire Lincoln to promotion during the upcoming 2007/08 season.

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