City unable to set up a celebration last game.

The hope was of course, after a really good couple of results and some positive off the field news to finish off the season already qualified for the payoffs in front of a full house at Sincil Bank. Well, we have that bit of the scenario, the final game was sold out days ago, as you’d expect but City will go to the wire and instead of a carefree festival in the sun (not that the weathers been behaving so far this week) the Imps will battle it out with Yeovil needing a point to go into the end of season lottery. We shouldn’t be surprised of course, this being Lincoln City, we never do things the easy way.

We should think long and hard about the season though. Would we have been happy with the situation at the start of the campaign? Yes of course we would. Personally I’d have been satisfied with a mid table finish. When you consider the season Grimsby Town have endured and even worse Chesterfield who are a club we were talking up as a role model for us a short time ago with their state of the art facilities, we're a world away from the position they find themselves in. Will Chesterfield be able to bounce back at the first time of asking? Apart from that lovely stadium their situation looks ominously like our own when we went down to me.

Talking of state of the art I wonder what training facilities Accrington Stanley have? Well the answer is I don’t know but I looked up what they are planning, here’s what the club are saying:

"Accrington Stanley have submitted plans to Ribble Valley Council for a training ground facility at Cockwood."

Cockwood, behind Read Garden Centre, is already owned by Stanley owner Andy Holt and plans have been drawn up which feature two football pitches.
“We have spent years looking all over Hyndburn for a suitable area and have been unsuccessful,” said Mr Holt.
“It’s essential that, if we are to take Accrington Stanley forward, the club has a training ground. We feel it is something that is holding us back at the moment although we keep defying the odds on the pitch.
“It is the very early stages as the first stage is to have plans drawn up. We have submitted the application and will see where it takes us.”

Quite how all that will be achieved on gates of under two thousand I really don’t know although it does help if you own the land already. We had a chat with their owner when City beat Stanley at Sincil Bank earlier in the season although he was mainly concerned, seething was the expression, at the penalty and sending off they had suffered. He must have awfully deep pockets if he’s funding that lot but it goes to show it’s not just the Cowleys who see the future of smaller clubs in off the field investment not necessarily pouring money into the first team.

The end of another breathless week.

Like many others I took myself off to the press conference yesterday and like several others I couldn’t get in and ended up in the Travis Perkins Suite where there was a live feed. It didn’t work all that smoothly and had I known I could have watched it at home on Facebook.

For me it underlined the need for better facilities in a new stadium but we mustn’t get the cart before the horse and that was very much the Cowleys theme as they expanded some more on their vision for the club.

I got more information on line later but it was an innovative move by the club and we mustn’t let a few gremlins get in the way of a well-intentioned effort at inclusivity by City but it underlined the present drawbacks and points to the direction City want to go in and a very exciting vision it is too. The new training facility or elite performance centre as we should get used to saying looks set to propel the club into the modern football age. There is nothing more the club can do in respect of the stadium at the moment and the Cowleys will very soon see their pet project a reality. If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me.

I had hoped that we would get confirmation that Neal Eardley had signed a new contract and I did talk to a fellow fan who claimed to have some information in that regard but it was only conjecture and I won’t repeat it here. Instead we got the equally fantastic news that Bozzie had signed on the dotted line to extend his stay and he also gave an insight into his original signing and the good impression he got of the club.

The Imps fending off the attentions of predatory rival clubs, managers extending their stay, players extending their stays, a new, state of the art training facility. It’s all very encouraging.

We move on to a club who presumably are a little short of mod cons, Accrington Stanley. I should firstly congratulate them on achieving promotion on a shoe string. I think their style of play might do well in league one too although the lack of financial clout is bound to catch up with them sooner or later but as I always say, enjoy it while it lasts. City meanwhile aim to be party poopers and deny them the point they need to win the league. We’ve done well against Stanley this season and will want to end the season on a high ourselves so it will be another fascinating tussle to either enjoy at the game or at home on the radio. If my nerves can stand it.

Don’t like getting beaten by Lincoln City? Take a good look at yourself.

Once again some more nonsense from defeated league two opponents and their apologists. I thought they had more class than that. When Coventry City were victorious at Sincil Bank earlier in the season all I read from Lincoln City supporters was praise. Best side to visit the Bank. Although disappointed I agreed with that sentiment.

No doubt when Coventry were relegated they were full of hope that an immediate return to league one would ensue. It still might of course but it has been anything but easy and not helped by gaining no points against us on Tuesday. In fact in the end they were comprehensively defeated. According to the Coventry Telegraph we carried on from last season where we bullied our way to promotion and a battering ram scored our opener. Battering ram. Really? It looked as exquisite a finish as you’ll see to me. Bullies? I think not. Bullies are cowards and we require our players to stand up and be counted.

For the Telegraphs information the football league kindly supply a neutral referee to oversee all games. He (or she) decides what is fair or foul. True, Matt Rhead irritates me sometimes with his machinations but, if it is decided that is against the rules he goes in the book and thereafter moderates his actions or goes off, one way or the other.

Let us consider another of our detractors, the wonderful Forest Green Rovers and their successful and talented manager. They, you may recall although beaten home and away by City are the true guardians of footballs soul. Protectors of the game against ruffians like Lincoln City. You I seem to remember were going to find league two easy. Well my vegan friends, you almost did claim a record, that of the first club to be promoted to the league and straight back down again. You escaped that ignominy because Barnet and Chesterfield were a bit worse than you. If that’s the moral high ground you’re on it.

I would imagine these pathetic whimperings are either of no consequence or maybe a source of amusement to our managers. We’ve been compared to the Wimbledon of old. That doesn’t concern me in the slightest although it’s completely innacurate. The Cowley brothers will occupy a place in football some way above the Mark Robins’ and Mark Coopers of this world before too long. If you don’t like that you know what you can do.

City make a statement: We’re little old Lincoln no more.

Little old Lincoln is how John Beck described his then club. Never one to miss an opportunity for self-publicity the inference was City should not really be in the position they are, they’re too small but thanks to me they’re punching above their weight.

That was disregarding of course the efforts of Bill Anderson, Graham Taylor and Colin Murphy but last night City swept all that away along with Coventry City. We’re not little old Lincoln, we’re big old Lincoln and we’re coming to get you.

Danny Cowley by contrast says that Lincoln City can be whatever they want to be and certainly the fans are league one already if not higher as last night’s turnout confirmed. Ironically that boosted Coventry’s average gate a little higher as there were more home fans in the ground. Here for the Lincoln?

Mathematically, City need one more point to be certain of the play-offs but that’s assuming Mansfield win their remaining games. It’s more likely to be Coventry disappointed after last night but I still think its Mansfield who will rue the day they appointed a manager who no doubt promised the earth and was on the first train out of town the minute something more appealing came along.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself but personally I’m pencilling the play off dates in my diary. Play off success usually comes the way of the team who peaks at the right time. We didn't do that previously. Now though we are a totally different proposition both as a team and a club. Put it this way would you want to meet us?

Abject City rescued by Ollie and a bit of magic from Waterfall,

The Americans used to say of us Brits, we fall at every hurdle bar the last. That would seem to sum up Lincoln City’s performance today. Given the run around by an enterprising Colchester side freed from the constraints of promotion or relegation. Quicker, more precise, up for the challenge it was Colchester who looked every bit the promotion chasing side. City by comparison looked lethargic, disjointed, lacking in inspiration. Yet when it came down to it, down to ten men, no argument from me there, up against the wall the Imps delivered the killer blow to win the game and put themselves virtual certainties for the play offs.

At half time it was apparent that something needed to change and so it did. Ollie Palmer came on and if there were any doubts about his appearance previously there were none now. He had an immediate impact.

With ten minutes to go I’d have happily settled for a point. Nothing was going for the Imps. Ahead from a penalty, someone is going to be hearing about that despite the fact it was converted with aplomb, City then conceded a sloppy goal and when Michael Bostwick was sent off, again, no arguments although it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, it looked as if a draw was the best that could be hoped for. With a game in hand City though were still in the box seats, albeit that game is against Coventry.

Things started to turn for City when Colchester got the ball in the net only to be ruled offside. After that, in the cacophony that is Sincil Bank, City were swept home on a tidal wave of noise, willpower and sheer bloody mindedness. When a crowd and team conspire on this level nothing can stop them and so it was City who took the game and if you couldn’t hear the cheers in Newark I’d be surprised.

Thanks to Luke Waterfalls goal on the stroke of full time it is City who will head to the Ricoh Stadium as the team on a roll. I fancied our chances at Coventry and after this performance if you can call it that I’m up for it even more. City were frankly awful but, just like last season conspired to not only share the spoils but win the game in the unlikeliest manner imaginable.

Only Mansfield can now catch the Imps in the race for the play offs and City, improbable as that may seem after today look to be favourites to capture a spot in the end of season shake up. No one is going to relish taking on the Imps now and if they can win a game after that performance any opponents are going to think the fates are against them. I can’t but help agreeing with that viewpoint.

Season of the player.

It’s that time again and I see we can now vote for the player of the season on redimps.co.uk. I’ve done just that.

It’s not over yet but what a season our club has given us. Not only cemented our place in the football league but we have become a bigger club before our very eyes. When we went for our day out at Ipswich Town last season I marvelled at the scene outside the stadium with all the people milling about and the feeling of anticipation. Now it’s just the same at Sincil Bank. The crowded pubs, the banter, the big game atmosphere.

With big game atmospheres come big game players and we have several. I’m not going to go through them as you know them and you’ll have your favourites. This is not intended to tell you how to vote but please do vote.

I want to mention a player who for all I know could win the vote and if he does he’ll deserve it, Michael Bostwick. If I didn’t vote for the player I have done I would vote for Bozzie. The reason I haven’t voted for him is I thought he got off to a slow start. He’s more than made up for lost time and is a pleasure to watch. Powerful, skilful and perceptive. One of our best if not the best signing.

I don’t think it will come as any surprise to learn that my vote went to Neal Eardley. He came to us for a fresh start. An injury basket case it was a career that had such promise and a shame it was unfulfilled. He may yet get the chance to play at a much higher level and I hope it’s with us. If he does or even if he doesn’t he’ll have the Cowley brothers to thank.

Somehow the Cowleys put together, with the back room staff at the club a fitness plan to get this wonderful player almost a constant presence. He’s rewarded the club with consistently accomplished performances.

There are others. I don’t want to sound like an end of season review because it could be the best is yet to come but it’s a good time to congratulate the players, all of them on their displays and to thank them for their efforts. Whatever happens it’s been a great season.

Woody: Now we know.

It was always apparent that there was more to come out of the Bradley Wood saga than a motoring misdemeanour. We now know the full extent and it doesn’t make good reading.

On Radio Lincolnshire last night when they broke the story they expressed the view that this would reflect badly on the club. I do hope not although there are those jealous of City’s success recently who could make something out of it. The club have put out a nothing to do with us statement as well they might.

My overwhelming feeling is sadness. Sadness for us that we lost such a good player. Sadness for Brad who should have tested himself in the football league. As fans we accept that wrongdoing should not be allowed to prevail no matter how good and how popular the player was. As a footballer he’s pretty much lost everything and will surely find getting back into the game after suspension well nigh impossible.

As a supporter, I can live with most things. I accept the limitations of footballers at our level, I can forgive tantrums and loss of form. The two things I expect from our players are that they try hard and have integrity. Of the former there can be no accusation in Woody’s case but I’m afraid as to integrity I can’t see any excuse for it.

On to matters topical we have another top of the range game to look forward to, one of just two remaining home games. As fans we’ve not been found wanting and tomorrow will be no different. I see Sincil Bank was described as “a cauldron” in the Wycombe Wanderers website on Tuesday night. There will be more of that tomorrow and its music to our ears to hear that. Gone are the days when Lincoln City players preferred playing away and gone are the days when the away team saw Lincoln as a nice day out.

Long may that continue.