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?