Lincoln City Football Club: Introduction

Lincoln City Football Club, often referred to as “The Imps,” is an English professional football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Currently, Lincoln City plays football in English League One.

The staff here at the Fanbase wish the team and supporters a lot of success. Here’s our overview of the club’s history, achievements, and current standing:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the official club’s website.

Foundation and Early History

• Founded: 1884
• Lincoln City is one of the older football clubs in England. The team has a long tradition in English football, with its early years marked by participation in non-league competitions.
• They were one of the founding members of the Second Division of the Football League in 1892.

Lincoln City Football Club: Nickname and Crest

• Nickname: The Imps
  • The nickname comes from the legend of the “Lincoln Imp,” a mythical creature said to have caused mischief inside Lincoln Cathedral. The imp has since become an emblem of the city and the club.
• Crest: The club’s crest features the imp, tying it to the local folklore.

Stadium

• Stadium Name: LNER Stadium (formerly known as Sincil Bank)
• Capacity: Approximately 10,000
• The stadium has been home to the club since 1895, and while not among the largest in the league, it has a passionate local fanbase. It still has that traditional feel about it. Also, the fans sometimes just refer to the stadium as “The Bank.”

Lincoln City Football Club: League History and Achievements

Lincoln City has spent much of its history fluctuating between the lower tiers of the English football league system. The club has never reached the Premier League or even the top division of English football, but it has seen various spells of success in the lower divisions.

• Highest League Finish: 5th in the old Second Division (now the Championship) in the 1901-02 season.
• FA Cup Success: The Imps reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in the 2016-17 season, a remarkable achievement, especially as they were a non-league side at the time. They became the first non-league club to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals since 1914, eventually losing to Arsenal.
• League Titles and Promotions:
  • Lincoln City has won the Football League Third Division (North) five times (1931-32, 1947-48, 1951-52, 1955-56, 1975-76).
  • They also won the National League title in 2017, gaining promotion back to the Football League after a six-year absence.

Lincoln City has won the lower leagues in the past, but other major honours largely escape the club. However, they have a whole host of minor honours and cups to grace the trophy cabinet. Be that as it may, the core Lincoln City supporters will continue to support this famous old club in great numbers.

Recent History and Rise

In recent years, Lincoln City has experienced a resurgence:

• Promotion to League One: After winning the National League title in 2017, Lincoln quickly rose through the ranks. They earned promotion to League One in 2019, the third tier of English football, where they currently compete.
• EFL Trophy Win: In 2018, Lincoln City won the EFL Trophy (now known as the Papa John’s Trophy), a competition for League One, League Two, and invited academy teams. It was their first-ever win of a national competition.

Key Figures

• Danny Cowley and Nicky Cowley: This managerial duo took over in 2016 and played a pivotal role in Lincoln City’s rise from non-league football to League One, overseeing the FA Cup run and promotions.
• Michael Appleton: After the departure of the Cowleys, Michael Appleton took charge in 2019, guiding Lincoln City to a play-off final in the 2020-21 season, though they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship, losing to Blackpool.

Lincoln City Football Club: Supporters and Culture

Lincoln City has a dedicated and loyal fanbase, with a strong connection to the local community. The Imps’ supporters are known for their passionate backing at LNER Stadium and on away days.

Lincoln City Football Club: Rivalries

• Main Rivals: Lincoln’s traditional rivals include Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United, with matches between these sides being hotly contested local derbies.
• Lesser Rivals: The fans also love to beat the following teams: Peterborough United, Mansfield Town, and Hull City.

Current Standing (as of 2024)

• Lincoln City is currently competing in League One, with aspirations of further promotion and continuing their rise through the English football leagues.
• Their steady progress in recent years has seen them grow from a non-league side to one regularly competing for promotion in the third tier of English football.

Notable Players

• Over the years, Lincoln City has produced or had several notable players, including former England international Gareth Ainsworth and Jack Hobbs, who went on to play for Liverpool. More recently, young players and loan signings have made important contributions to the team’s success.

Lincoln City Football Club’s rise from non-league football to League One is an inspiring story in modern English football, especially due to their community-driven ethos and passionate fanbase.

Promote Lincoln City Football Club

Wouldn’t it be great if you, as a Lincoln supporter, could promote the club? Well, now you can here at the Football Fan Base. We exist for all fans the world over to socially interact with each other. You can also have a little football banter with other like-minded supporters.

**Information updated on September 7, 2024.