D3D4 Football’s Lincoln City Correspondent, Paul Lee, recounts a season that no one will ever forget…
RECORD BREAKING SEASON FOR LINCOLN CITY
Lincoln City, appointed Danny and Nicky Cowley, as joint managers in early May 2016.
They arranged to make the announcement, to a fans forum, on the first Friday in May 2016.
News spread through Lincoln, like wild fire, that they had got the hottest managerial partnerships in non league football.
The fans forum, that evening, was amazing to say the least.
For a football club, who was in the doldrums after 4 seasons in non-league football, the local football club bar was as full as it had been since relegation four seasons earlier.
When the managers were introduced, the fans went berserk, and gave the Cowleys, the biggest roar seen in Lincoln for many a long year.
We didn’t know this was the start of an amazing journey, which not to overstate it, would make us one of the most talked about football clubs aside from the top Premiership clubs.
Within weeks, the Cowleys had assembled a strong squad, some thought good enough to challenge for the playoffs, after the previous four seasons, the best Lincoln managed, was 13th, and one season flirting with the unthinkable, relegation to National League North.
Players came and went during a hectic pre-season, including the arrival of the most sought after midfielder in non-league football, in Adam Woodyard, from the Cowleys old club Braintree and giant centre half Sean Raggetts from fellow National League outfit, Dover Athletic.
One of the major coups, of the summer, was winger/midfield, Nathan Arnold, part of arch rivals Grimsby Town’s, successful squad, of the previous season.
The Imps started the season away at Woking where they made a great start to the season winning in a 3-1.
Next up was the opening home game against hot relegation favourites North Ferriby.
In the previous four seasons the average home attendance hovered around the 2,400 mark with night games often attracting well under 1,600.
On a balmy August evening 3,600 turned up at Sincil Bank, news has spread, Lincoln City were on the up.
The village team was torn apart in a devastating first half conceding 4 goals and ending up on the end of 6-1 hammering.
With condfidence sky high Sutton were next at Sincil Bank and it was they who burst the Lincoln bubble, winning 2-1, with a robust display that would later help them reach the FA Cup 5th Round.
The Imps went through September picking up good results and they were never far away from the top four if not in it.
They continued there fine form going unbeaten through October and November.
November brought a trip to league leaders Forest Green Rovers, 6 points clear at the top, who would go nine clear if they beat the Imps.
Forest Green went two up midway through the second half and things seemed pretty bleak for the Imps but in every season there is a game that defines the entire campaign and this was that game for Lincoln. The comeback started with a goal on 69 minutes from Adam Woodyard. As time tick down, captain, Luke Waterfall then volleyed home an equaliser in the 89th minute, a great point salvaged on the road, yet there was more. Deep into injury time Sean Raggett headed home the winner as fans and players alike realised just how good this Lincoln team could be, winning 3-2 live on B.T Sport!
November brought the F.A Cup with a home tie in the qualifying round against, struggling Conference North side, Altrincham who were narrowly beaten in an uncharacteristic sub-standard display.
The first round brought another home tie in the form of Guisley, who, surprisingly, took Lincoln to a replay before losing 2-1.
December came, with another home tie in the F.A Cup against struggling League one side Oldham Athletic.
Live T.V. coverage put the tie back to a Monday night.
The club continued with its cup policy of £10 admission, the club expected a bumper crowd, but what happened that night, changed the football club perhaps forever.
The Lincoln public realised a sleeping giant was awakening as 7000 flocked to Sincil Bank and witnessed another first half demolition of a decent league side as Theo Robinson grabbed a brace in a dramatic 3-2 win.
The last home game before Christmas brought Tranmere to Sincil Bank for a top of the table clash.
A disjointed Lincoln struggled in the first half to match Rovers, who led at the break.
The second half saw City come out fighting and roared on by another massive near 7000 crowd, won deep into injury time.
Boxing Day brought a trip to struggling, but fast improving Guisley, who stunned Lincoln with a 2-1 win.
The New Year arrived and with it the F.A Cup 3rd round. Struggling Championship side Ipswich Town were the opponents.
A staggering 5,000 Imps fans, bought tickets for the trip to Portman Road and they were rewarded with a stunning display, a 2-2 draw and a replay at Sincil Bank.
Massive queues brought a sold out Sincil Bank for the first time in more than thirty years. B.B.C cameras were at the ground to witness a sensation result as Nathan Arnold rounded of a superb City move to beat Ipswich deep into injury time.
Great excitement hit Lincoln as their dynamic team entered the F.A Cup 4th round for the first time since 1967 with a home tie against Championship leaders Brighton and Hove Albion.
4th round day approached with tickets sold out in hours as the Lincolnshire faithful got ready to roar on a Cowleys inspired Imps side.
After Albion led at the break Lincoln produced the best performance in living memory, scoring three times in twenty second half minutes sparking incredible scenes at a completely transformed Lincoln City Football Club.
Lincoln were in the 5th round of the F.A Cup for the first time ever, being drawn at Premiership Burnley.
Live T.V. was on hand again to watch what was becoming the most talked about club in the country.
Five leagues difference didn’t faze the Cowley brothers as Lincoln took the game to Burnley grabbing a deserved late winner, through Sean Raggetts in one of the biggest shocks in F.A Cup history.
Lincoln City had now reached the quarter finals of the F.A Cup, completely uncharted territory for the club and the first non-league side to get this far! They were rewarded with an unbelievable tie!
Lincoln City were drawn at world football legends Arsenal at the sensational Emerites Stadium in north London.
Lincoln fans would flock to the capital with 9000 of them from all around the world, some coming from as far as Australia and the Far East.
After an even first half Arsenal would put the National League upstarts firmly in their place, romping home by 5 goals to nil but on their lap of honour the Lincoln players were given a standing ovation from Gunners and Imps fans alike.
A break away from the league continued with F.A Trophy action, as York defeated Lincoln in a 2 legged semi-final.
Massive Sincil Bank crowds continued to roar the team to vital wins in the league and Championship level away support followed them country wide, as a cherished football league place got closer.
Good Friday football for the first time at Sincil Bank in nearly 40 years, saw 9,600 pack Sincil Bank to witness a nerve tingling 2-1 win over relegation threatened Torquay United.
Another late show at Gateshead brought a fifth straight win which was followed by the decisive victory at home to mid table Macclesfield that confirmed the title and with it promotion back to the Football League after five years of gloom and doom.
Over 10,000 crammed into Sincil Bank, the biggest crowd for a league game in 30 years, to see a nerve racking 2-1 win, sparking tumultuous scenes in Lincoln as celebrations continued well into the night!
Following draws at Maidstone and Southport, rounding off the season, an open topped bus parade took place as 30,000 took to the Lincoln streets with young and old, football fans and proud Lincolnians celebrating the rebirth of its football club, standing proud once more!
Words Paul Lee
Welcome back to the Football League. Lincoln brought back the magic of the FA Cup with some mighty upsets. Can’t wait to see how the Cowley brother do in the EFL!
As part of my groundhopping addiction I visited Sincil Bank last summer & saw the Imps defeat L2 Crewe by 3-0. I remember thinking Lincoln have a great chance with a squad like that.
Great article, really interesting, hope there will be many more from you.