Bristol City And Crewe Target Imp

23rd May 2006

Lincoln City's supporters could be dealt another blow just a week after they witnessed their side miss out on promotion for the fourth consecutive season.

Today's bad news is that Lincoln's failure to win promotion has triggered a minimum release fee clause in the contract of Jamie McCombe. Already, Bristol City and Crewe Alexandra, both of League One, are tracking McCombe.

Crewe are the current favourites to sign McCombe as they have made a bid that matches the release fee specified in McCombe's contract. Lincoln City have no option but to accept the bid because of the specification in McCombe's contract. Whether McCombe leaves Lincoln is now down to the player.

Imps' chairman Steff Wright confirmed: "We have given Crewe permission to speak to Jamie."

The loss of McCombe, who is 23 years of age, would be a great void in the Lincoln's 2006/07 plans. Two years ago, The Imps had to fight to sign McCombe from Scunthorpe United, in a deal that was referred to a Football League tribunal.

Scunthorpe had originally agreed to allow McCombe to leave for free but they later tried to change their mind. This was hardly surprising as they had once described him as "one of the brightest prospects outside of the Premiership."

Aston Villa offered him a trial in early 2002 but he later suffered a difficult 2002/03 season that saw him lose his place in the Scunthorpe first-team. Just prior to joining Lincoln, he had made seven appearances on loan at Conference club Halifax Town.

McCombe has recaptured his early promise while at Lincoln. He has just enjoyed his best ever season that he saw him take over the captaincy of the team. As reward for his consistent form, he was voted the Lincoln City Player of the Season and the Away Player of the Season by the Lincoln supporters.

Overall, McCombe has so far made 100 appearances and scored 8 goals for Lincoln City.

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