Are We Playing A One Box Game?

14th June 2006

If you have never seen Channel 4's "Deal Or No Deal", then you are unlikely to understand a word of this article, but in the words of Noel Edmonds: "Lincoln City FC's supporters are now playing a one box game!"

The search for a new manager continues, but as the game progresses, fewer and fewer top candidates remain. The latest name to have been eliminated from the search is Danny Wilson, with Leroy Rosenior expected to follow.

In terms of popularity among Lincoln City's supporters, Wilson had entered at number two on their wanted list for the new Lincoln City FC manager. The number one, and star prize, on the list is legendary Imps' striker John Ward.

Alas, Wilson yesterday agreed a deal with Hartlepool United, after expressing a willingness to speak to them about their vacant manager's post. It is unclear whether Wilson actually applied for the Lincoln job but then, he did not exactly apply to Hartlepool; instead, Hartlepool went to find him.

Another who was high on Lincoln City's supporters' list was Rosenior but later today, he is expected to be announced as the new manager of Brentford. Rosenior's predicted appointment is a surprise, not least because he was rejected for the Peterborough United job in favour of former Imps' manager Keith Alexander. Obviously one club has made a bad decision here - but which one? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, we return to the Lincoln City supporters' edition of Deal Or No Deal, where they have seen several other potential figures disappear from the running. Ronnie Moore and John Gorman are the next biggest figures to have been eliminated, after Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town appointed them respectively. However, while Gorman did apply for the Lincoln job, it is not thought that Moore did.

Other names who been eliminated are Mick Harford and Steve Thompson, although both would be classed as "low reds" in Deal Or No Deal. Harford decided not to apply for the job, while Thompson failed to gain an interview; Thompson has subsequently been named as Notts County's new manager.

Lincoln City's supporters are now taking stock of their board, wondering who they are left with. Three figures definitely remaining in open play are Ian Branfoot, John Deehan and Mick Wadsworth. However, Lincoln City's supporters - judging by some of their comments - are split over their feelings towards these three candidates.

So it could well prove that Lincoln City supporters' are playing a one box game, hoping that John Ward has been in their selected box all along. Should Lincoln fail to tempt Ward away from Cheltenham Town then they had better hope that the banker makes a good offer to salvage this game because otherwise, Imps' fans are going to be disappointed.

Disappointment is something often shown on Deal Or No Deal. Except, what exactly is disappointment? In some cases, a contestant wins £20,000 yet remains close to tears in disappointment because they had convinced themselves that the £250,000 prize was theirs.

As the Lincoln City's supporters' edition of Deal Or No Deal draws to a close, let us try not to appear too ungrateful if we do not appoint Ward. We need to take stock first, as our prize might just bring us more happiness than we originally thought it could.

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