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.