Stop the league, I want to get off.

Talk about after the Lord Mayors Show, the end of the season, post championship was always going to go one of two ways. Either a resurgent Imps, freed from the shackles of league responsibility would put on some real displays or fail to gain much more from the remaining fixtures. It’s the latter.

MK Dons was our finest hour it would seem. We were superb that day. Carlisle, the less said about that the better. I did feel Tranmere, for a nil nil was good entertainment and now Newport. Entirely predictable to be honest. I’m not brimming with confidence about the final game either.

We shouldn’t complain though, it’s been a sparkling season of mainly highs but, now that we're a league one side or at least we will be I suppose I was expecting that the results would reflect that. Instead we’ve had something of a reality check.

Of course, if the last championship and promotion is anything to go be the team that lines up next season may not be entirely recognisable. Danny Cowley is, I’m sure a very nice man but he’s uncompromising in his ambition and I don’t think sentiment will come into it. As Cowley said, he’s not in the business of consolidating. We may be perfectly happy with a mid table finish next season but I don’t think the managers will be. They will want, at least to have a tilt at the playoffs and if that means jettisoning players we hold dear or we think of as stars they will do it so I’m expecting some surprises.

The big imponderable is finance. Danny Cowley feels City are a tempting investment. Clive Nates says irons are in the fire. I could probably spare a couple of hundred quid for some more shares. I don’t think either of them had that in mind when they said more local investors would be desirable and I don’t do the lottery so I’m out. That side of things is a worry, players come and go and we know Danny can find them but I think we’re all agreed, whilst this seasons performance has been more than adequate what holds us back as real high flyers is the lack of a twenty goal a season man.

Personally, I think we’ve got one, potentially, in the shape of Akinde but to see him at his productive best he needs a partner and that isn’t going to come cheap so if a big money offer comes in for Anderson or Toffolo or Andrade it wouldn’t surprise me if we take it. I could be entirely wrong but one things for sure, it’s not going to be a quiet summer.

The best of times.

There was an element in the crowd at Carlisle trying to encourage a Nicky Cowley fist pump. There was no way that was going to happen. To be fair I think the motivation was to say to players and management, look we’ve come all this way but we don’t want you to feel you’ve let us down. Actually come to think of it, for a variety of reasons that was the first league loss I’ve witnessed. My son used to play in a junior football team that won all the time and when they did finally drop a couple of point none of them knew what to do. It felt a bit like that last Friday.

Nevertheless I wouldn’t be surprised if that loss didn’t hit the managers hard because with it came the loss of a potential record as the Taylor side only lost four times over the season and that reverse took us to five.

All of which brings us, seeing as we’ve got nothing else to occupy ourselves with, who is the greatest manager? Taylor dragged the club from a seemingly never ending cycle of failure but his was a record ended with the fourth division title. We now know from his memoirs that he wanted to stay at Lincoln but was deterred by a perceived lack of enthusiasm, or at least inability to conjure up the necessary finance to underpin a tilt at further promotion. There’s no doubt the team, with very little tinkering, was capable of it.

Colin Murphy, who I sometimes think of as something of an unsung hero not only returned City to the football league but had another promotion to his credit and got the club almost to the Holy Grail of the championship (as it is now called). Murphy’s problems too can be partly attributed to boardroom upheaval, a depressingly familiar problem.

Each manager did foster great interest in the team but it is the Cowley brothers who have harnessed the enthusiasm, as well they might given the unprecedented level of success, to the extent that the present hierarchy can afford to invest in the club to keep the show on the road. Indeed the incumbents of the boardroom are determined to use this period, wherever it ends up, to enhance the standing and reputation of the club to make the likelihood of us descending back to those dark days less of a threat.

It is this harmony between boardroom, support and players that sets this management apart and of course, unlike the last time City played at the level they are about to, the Imps are not hamstrung by a lack of proper budget.

There are allegations, I really don’t know why they’re expressed in those terms, that City have somehow bought their way out of the division which is claptrap in my view but in any event why shouldn’t the manager who has the best support not have the best budget, if that is the case?

Anyway, we have to fulfil the remaining fixtures and as I write City will be at Bristol City training before tomorrow’s game at Newport County. That in itself is a sign of how far the club has progressed. Despite the dead rubber feel the Imps will still take with them the sort of following most clubs would give their eye teeth for.

As previews go that’s a bit sketchy I realise but you don’t come on here for that kind of thing do you?

Campeones campeones ole ole ole.

At a time when the world is wondering whether we Brits were turning a bit inwards Imps fans went all continental as they realised the cherished prize of another football league championship was ours, after all this time and the triumphant cry of Campeones! Campeones! Rang out at Sincil Bank.

Any doubts that City had fallen over the line rather than sprinted has to be taken in the context of what was happening to our competitors. In our heart of hearts we knew that Mansfield and MK Dons couldn’t win all their remaining games to overhaul the Imps. We knew that but didn’t dare say it and it was the fact that City’s season has been so complete and their dominance so irresistible that have given us promotion and now the championship before anyone else.

Just as we express our joy in European terms, see I told you Barcelona would come into it, we are probably going to have to celebrate amongst ourselves as the mealy mouthed “compliments” and sniping from the other embittered and dare I say it, jealous rival managers not to mention the media, local versions excepted, will not give us the credit we deserve. This can no better be illustrated than by the frankly pathetic choice of Bury’s manager as manager of the season. He may yet not even achieve promotion in comparison with the Cowleys who have not only done that, twice. As champions, twice and totally rebuilt our club and have seen the stadium regularly full to bursting and the clubs finances, always an Achilles heel at Lincoln, restored to balance. I certainly don’t revel in Bury’s financial discomfort but, thanks to the Cowleys City have emerged as one of the leagues big hitters with gates that they and Mansfield and Forest Green Rovers, can only dream of.

There aren’t all that many of us that can say they were in Sincil Bank that wonderful day in 1976 but I was. Comparisons are inevitable but in my view they would be unfair, They were a marvellous side, the present champions are a marvellous side. As we contemplate a possible ground move in those days the Bank was a crumbling wreck. It was to get worse as City’s fortunes waned. Taylor left, seduced away by Elton Johns millions. By comparison, City are well placed financially to make the leap to League One and, I really hope I’m correct in this, our present managers, the Cowleys, show no signs of wanderlust.

I believe this situation has come about because the city and county, the fans, the volunteers, the directors, have engendered a “were all in it together” feel. Lincoln City Football Club are the Cowleys club, indivisible. This time, unlke the last football league promotion, City go into the league above well capable of holding their own and prospering. Clive Nates tells us substantial new investment will need to be found for us to further progress but that investment can be found. I believe him.

So, as we contemplate the last couple of weeks of the season we have nothing but pleasure to look forward to. Enjoy it. We will see our team, our heroes, receive another trophy. It will not matter a jot how the results pan out.

We can watch the scramble for the minor placings with detached interest, just as I said we would. We can hear how the other managers explain their failings in hilarious terms, citing superior football, more enlightened tactics and yet boys whatever you say, you’re losers. Isn’t life grand?

Long Good Friday.

As away days go you have to say it didn’t get off to the easiest of starts. Although it’s a long way, it’s quite a simple journey to Carlisle and we’d set off in plenty of time, or so we thought.

Newark wasn’t as difficult as it can be, then on to the A1 and it was plain sailing, for a while. You’ve probably done that journey, the A1 north, quite a few times, I have certainly. In most countries, Germany, France, Spain even, that road would have been a motorway years ago. Not us though, oh no. With the sort of skewed logic that produced the car park, at busy times, that is the Lincoln by pass, the A1 has been “improved” in sections so you go from bits that are decent, to parts that are definitely not. On Friday even the motorway sections, at junctions, ground to a halt. Again and again and again. That's all without mentioning the A66 but I'm trying to forget that.

We found ourselves overtaking and then being overtaken by a couple of our coaches and at first it was good fun, waving and being waved to. Then the sat nav started to get a bit pessimistic. From an ETA of one o’ clock it became two, then ten past. We left the coaches behind and I started to wonder, will they make it?

Our sat nav sent us an alternative route, and I followed that route, to not universal approval in the car but, when we finally arrived and heard some coaches had not made it for the kick off we wondered if it was them and I was glad I took the diversion.

Even when we got to Carlisle we claimed the very last car park space. I should have guessed it was not going to be our day.

I may as well at this point introduce you to Mr Lee Mason, you’ll have heard of him I’d imagine. For me, the game was going the same way as the MK Dons one except to say Carlisle were sitting off and City were sitting off which was what I had expected to happen when said referee floored Jason Shackell with a really soft yellow. Yes, you’ve seen them given but this was a no one messes with me, I’m the star of the show yellow and when Shackell really did commit a yellow card offence off he had to go and with it City’s chance of getting something from the game.

It was a brave performance but, unlike previous battles City could not quite make it over the line when down to ten men. Unlike MK Dons, where we had a referee who gave some protection against the home sides rough house tactics there was none from Mr Mason who was prepared to dish out a yellow to Cian Bolger for coming on without permission but not when Harry Anderson was assaulted, there were other instances too. Not interested. What I ask is the responsibility of the fourth official by the way?

So there we are, no party. We wait for Monday and the arrival of Tranmere Rovers. You don’t need me to tell you it won’t be easy however I have a plan. At MK Dons I discovered I had put last seasons shirt on. I mused whether to stick with it for Cheltenham and again at Carlisle. Look what happened. So if you see someone in a black, out of date away shirt it’s probably me.

The things I do for that football club.

City look to finish the job on the road. Cast of thousands.

I’ve often mused in this blog, probably with you all saying there he goes again, of creating a sort of mini Barcelona here in the county. That or Norwich City just to think of another club on the up. I’ve aired these thoughts before but, certainly in the case of the Canaries they’re a relatively large centre of population stuck, well, stuck in the middle of nowhere. Remind you of anywhere?

Barcelona are different. They think (I shouldn’t really say think). They maintain they are an entirely separate country, we of course, to quote some, are just a race apart but the point is, together we can move mountains.

It seems I wasn’t the only one espousing the togetherness theme. The club has it as their aim above all else. It took Clive Nates to plant the seed corn. I should of course mention Chris Moyses who prepared the seed bed, then after that the other directors who have drawn their inspiration from the Cowleys and I suppose us, the supporters. So we’ve all got a stake in the future of Lincoln City and as Danny Cowley says, why put a ceiling on our ambitions?

That begs the question where can we end up? Nobody knows of course. Many of you will either not remember or perhaps were not even born when the Imps were last in the equivalent of league one but just to enlighten you, City went up in quite similar circumstances in that they had to win and other results go their way. They did, in third place, amid great excitement.

There I hope, the similarity ends. The support was quite decent in the thrill of promotion but when the season kicked off it was back to a disappointing level, there were some very big clubs in the league and City just could not live in the rarefied atmosphere and they came straight back down. I can’t believe the same fate is going to befall us. The club has made great strides whilst the going was good. We’re no Sunderland but I believe the Imps can not only survive but, given time, can prosper and who knows, maybe even further progress can be made.

One thing is certain though, we won’t go anywhere apart from back where we came from unless we all stick together but if we do. Who knows?

So just the small matter of winning the championship tomorrow or another day. See you at Carlisle.

Mission accomplished? Don’t you believe it.

I sent my son a picture of that board they put up at Sincil Bank yesterday, Lincoln City promoted 2019. He replied, will we hang on to the Cowleys? I may be being horribly naive here but I don’t think the relationship has been stronger.

Danny Cowley was asked if yesterday was his greatest achievement in football and he said yes. Just looking at Braintree Towns plight though, and I take no pleasure in it but they are relegated and had an average gate this season of 667. Surely getting them to the cusp of the football league was greater?

When the Cowleys joined Lincoln, Braintree’s chairman said he didn’t think Lincoln City was much of a step up. Well now he does. However for us, delighted and pinching ourselves, are Lincoln City at an all time high? No is the answer and that’s why, in my view the Cowleys see Lincoln City as a work in progress and not the finished article.

Danny Cowley is now talking quite openly of the championship and, to be honest we're going to have to deliver on that if we’re going to keep them. His actual words were championship “at least”. Oh my goodness, surely not? Yet you look at the likes of Bournemouth and Burnley? Well, enough of that except to say that sort of stratospheric rise needs investment, big investment yet success breeds success and we’re a much juicier prospect than the Lincoln City anchored; it seemed permanently in the National League.

Anyway, let’s not get carried away and yesterday has to be the strangest promotion imaginable, no pitch invasion mainly because no one was aware it had happened, half the crowd had departed. I had taken my earphones and duly plugged in on the final whistle. Of course you don’t get the match on line any more so it was quite some time before we went live and when Michael Hortins dulcet tones did eventually come through, Alan Long on the tannoy was urging us to go nowhere as we might have done it as indeed we had. Hugs and high fives all round and some sheepish fans arriving home to be asked, what are you doing here? You’re promoted!

I’m certainly glad I got tickets for Carlisle now. It was already a big following and I suspect it’ll be another sell out now if only because, for some reason the shackles are off when City are on the road. We’re going to be champions, I’m certain of that and there’s plenty of time too. First though Cowley verses Cowley is going to be some party.

See that hill over there? That’s the finish.

You know what it’s like when you’re out for a walk, you climb the slope thinking that’s the end but it’s not; there are four more to climb. Well for Lincoln City there’s just one more mountain to scale. Once on the summit that’s it. Just the view to admire.

Not that the final assault is going to be easy. It wouldn’t surprise me at all for Cheltenham Town to put up a spirited rearguard action and thwart the Imps at Sincil Bank but, no matter. Thanks to their superb form all season there’s plenty of breathing space. I’ve got tickets to Carlisle and if it has to be there well so be it.

Last weekend at Milton Keynes will I think go down in Imps history as the defining moment. Top verses second, City went with a plan and stuck to it doggedly. The Imps, unlike many teams do not play for draws and they don’t do second place. I said in the blog previously that Milton Keynes, if they didn’t know already, were forced to accept the reality that they were playing for the minor placings, as are everyone else.

You can put any number of slants on last weeks victory, princes verses paupers have’s verses have not’s but for all the premiership facilities it is Lincoln City who are the emerging power. MK’s magnificent attendance was down to giving tickets away and other inducements as well of course as the astounding turnout from Impdom. It is City, as we hear of financial difficulties at Notts County and Bury, it is City who are patiently laying good solid foundations on firm ground and proceeding cautiously. Will they be putting a second star on the backs of their shirts to signify a second promotion? No they will not.

Similarly if, and I say if not when but if City move to a new stadium will it reflect where we hope we may finish up like Dons? No to that as well. If we go it will be to a purpose built stadium to fit the bill for Lincoln City not some pie in the sky vanity project for the soon to be renamed Lincoln Lancasters plc. We may be disappointed at the caution but pragmatic would be my guess, if it happens of course.

Personally as far as I'm concerned a stadium move will be necessary to provide the income for further chapters of the adventure. It’s either that or a complete rebuild of Sincil Bank. I think the fill in the corners mentality will not do the job financially. A stroll around Stadium MK convinced me that this is the way forward, a mixed use dedicated commercial and sporting facility producing income 365 days a year trumps dear old S B for me.

Still, it was days like last Saturday that put us within touching distance of those sunlit uplands and let’s face it. We either keep going together or run the risk that the Cowleys will continue the journey without us. I really didn’t intend to finish on a negative note and it’s not intended to be but we all know in our heart of hearts that’s the way it is.

The professionals.

Matt Gilks probably didn’t see five and a half thousand Lincoln City fans on their feet applauding his wonder save late on at Milton Keynes. On the other hand Bruno Andrade couldn’t miss us but in truth the massed ranks of red and white were on their feet long before the ball hit the back of the net.

I’ve mixed feelings about that save. City in truth never looked in danger of letting this game slip but if it had gone in then, whilst a draw would not have been disastrous a goal would have led to a very jittery last few minutes.

As it happened, and I hardly need to tell you this because you were probably there but as it happened Bruno Andrade settled any concerns, I wouldn’t put it any more than that with a very decent finish that put paid to any ambitions M K Dons had of getting the better of Lincoln City.

I couldn’t tell you what sort of team MK are as City, for my money, had them in a straightjacket all afternoon. Yes they had one or two forays as you might expect for a team second in the table and so good at home to boot but they had no answer to City’s power and athleticism, control and belief and eventually they and their supporters were forced to come to the realisation if they hadn’t already that they are playing for second place at best.

Mansfield have now leapfrogged MK in the table and as I see it, those two plus Bury, who slipped up again (manager of the season? I don’t think so) and Tranmere are battling for silver and bronze whilst perennial bottlers Forest Green Rovers, for me have the playoffs to look forward to at best. If points were awarded for style they’d be home and hosed but they’re not so they’re not. You’ll just have to content yourself with being guardians of footballs soul Mr Cooper. Another star on the back of those FGR shirts is probably not going to be needed.

Underneath City the situation is fascinating if only because a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions would have to befall City, certainly to prevent them gaining promotion and in terms of the championship I don’t think anyone who witnessed that performance today would doubt City's ability to lift the league trophy either so we will, I believe, watch the scramble up the greasy pole for the remaining places on offer with detached interest.

I shouldn’t tempt providence really but if you were there you’d know what I mean.

Those big teams from the past? That’s us now.

Many many moons ago, I think I was at college and I remember thinking, were a third division side now.

For third division read league one. City had finally escaped the dead hand of the fourth division which they had occupied since it’s inception I think, not very honourably. It seemed on a more or less permanent basis the Imps finished in the bottom four which wasn’t quite as bad as it sounds as instead of automatic relegation there was a sort of reverse beauty contest whereby each club would vote on the four worst teams and normally they would escape as it was pretty much a closed shop although if it was a club on the far extremities of the country they could be vulnerable as each club weighed up its travel costs. If they were voted out they were replaced by, usually a team that had made its name in the cup or been knocking on the door for a while.

Anyway, City had escaped all that, courtesy of the late great Graham Taylor and although his team or rather their successors did eventually get relegated there then followed a period when they really did become a third tier outfit.

I remember, when Taylors team did win the fourth division the big noise in the league above were Portsmouth but also, periodically, the Sheffield clubs came into our orbit, some way from their former glory.

When either United or Wednesday came to Sincil Bank often the ire of the supporters was raised when the board of directors allocated the open Sincil Bank terrace to both those clubs. The reason being they could bring the then unheard of travelling support numbering 5000 and the retort from the board was always, we’re not going to turn down that sort of money.

So here we are, not in league one but the basement boys and we are going to bring those numbers not an hour down the road from Sheffield but a more considerable distance, us, little old Lincoln as John Beck described us.

To say the supporters are excited is something of an understatement. Here we have, for me another Wembley or Arsenal and in its own way a stadium worthy of the occasion. Unlike those aforementioned matches, not a one off cup game either, thrilling though they were but a bread and butter game and furthermore a game for the right to play our football and watch our football at some more grounds like this.

What’s more, City can approach the game in a relatively relaxed manner. As I’ve been saying, a draw, whilst neither use or ornament to MK Dons, would do very nicely to the Imps as it keeps our points ticking over and denies our opponents two.

Does it sound to you that the times they are a changin’? It does to me.