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Imps
panic
Lincoln City v Darlington
Coca-Cola League Two
Saturday December
22nd 2007, 3pm
Lincoln City have been the
nearly-men of League Two after the last few seasons, and despite a shake-up
endured their fifth play-off failure in succession. Now they face a less familiar fight, lying in deep relegation trouble.
Patience soon wore thin with John Schofield - who'd only been rewarded
with a new deal in August - and the experienced John Deehan having taken
the Imps into the unknown regions of the relegation places. The experienced
Peter Jackson faces a big task to rescue the Imps from what would historically
be a second relegation from the League.
Always a popular DAFTS trip.
Man
to watch Jamie Forrester Experienced striker signed
from Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal in the summer and is scoring roughly
a goal every other game.
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LAST SEASON:
Penney makes
his mark
Not many had much hope of getting too much from our trip
to high-flying Lincoln, but Darlo put in their best performance of the
season by a country mile.
The 3-1 win could have been by a greater margin, but it was the manner
of the victory which impressed the travelling support. Darlo took the
game to Lincoln and deserved the win. New boss Dave Penney certainly
seems to have brought great organisation and an extra zip from the squad.
Clark Keltie was outstanding and the continual emergence of Simon Johnson
were real positives, while Julian Joachim returned from injury off the
bench with no apparent ill effect.
© Photos: Ted Blair |
Full match previews on the D@rlo
Uncovered website.
Ticket
prices: £17 (£12 OAP/students - and £1 under 16 with an adult
if bought up until kick off from the ticket office) on the day or
in advance from Darlington FC ticket office, £15 (£11 OAPs, students
with NUS card), as a category 'B' game. Advance tickets also available
by phone from Lincoln City FC on 0870 899 1976. Away fans are in the south
end (blocks 1-2) of the Co-Op Community Stand alongside the pitch. There's
a good selection of pies and drinks; the programme costs £2.50 and is
one of the best in this division.
Lincoln
City FC:
Sincil Bank Stadium, Lincoln LN5 8LD
Tel: 01522 880011
History:
Formed in 1884, turning professional in 1891 and were founder members
of League Division Two a year later. They reached their highest
ever league position, fifth, in 1902, but were twice relegated out
of the league before becoming founder members of Div 3N (with Darlington)
in 1921. The 1951/52 side scored 126 goals, including six for Andy
Graver in a record win over Crewe. Young manager Graham Taylor takes
Imps to 1975/76 Div 4 title with only four defeats and 32 wins.
First league club relegated to Conference under new automatic rules
in 1985/86 but bounced back year later - only top for last week
of season!
Record Attendance: 23,196 v Derby Co FL Cup, 15 Nov 1967
Capacity: 10,127
Last season: 5th, play-off final losers
Honours: Div 3N champions 1931/1932, 1947/1948, 1951/1952;
Record victory: 11-1 v Crewe Alexandra, Div 3N, 29 Sept
1951, Div Four champions 1975/1976
Defeat: 3-11, Man City (A), 23 March 1895 (Div 2)
Nickname: The Imps.
Colours: Red and white stripes
Manager:
Peter Jackson
Chairman: Steff Wright
Players in: Lewis Emanuel (Luton, loan), Lee Ridley (Cheltenham, loan), Adam Smith (Chesterfield, loan), Steve Torpey (Scunthorpe), Gary Croft (Grimsby), Jamie Hand (Chester), Michael Roddy
Players out: Martin Gritton (Macclesfield), Jeff Hughes
(Crystal Palace), Paul Mayo (Notts Co), Paul Morgan (Bury), Simon
Rayner (Torquay), Ryan Semple (Rushden, loan)
Famous fans/players/connections: Graham Taylor (player and
manager), Colin Murphy (manager and poet), Darren Huckerby (player),
Alan Shearer made Newcastle debut in friendly at Lincoln in 1996.
Click for Streetmap of ground |
A1
(M) exit for Lincoln/E Markham on the A57, after 10m turn right on A57
for Lincoln, another 6m to roundabout, right on A46 to Lincoln South.
The ground is off the High Street. Street parking. There is free parking
close to the ground on the park by the roundabout south of the ground
where the A15 meets the High Street.
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It's
a 15 minute walk from the station - either (a) take a left and left again
over the level crossing into High Street. The ground is on the left, off
the optimistically named Scorer St. There are buses running down High
Street, should you need them. Or (b) turn right at the station entrance
and take the footbridge on your right back over the railway line; walk
across the carpark and into Sincil Bank, with the river (we call it a
brook!) on your right. It's a straight 10 minute walk to the ground at
the far end.
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Discount Cabs (01522) 800800
Direct Cars 01522 567567
Darlington
FC Supporters Club
Coach:
10.45am, cost £14.50. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington
Supporters' Club for more details.
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Trains (updated): Darlington 10:30-Retford (11.39),
12:23 -Lincoln Central arr 13:04 Duration: 2hr 34 mins. Return
Lincoln Central-Darlington, 18:09 via Newark Northgate (18:32) 18.59
arr 20:23. Duration: 2hrs 14mins. Sample fares: £46 Saver return,
advance returns from £31. Birmingham New Street
09.49 via Nottingham (11.04) 11.24 arr 12.21, rtn 17.35 via Leicester
(19.25) 19.51-20.50 Saver return £27.20. London Kings Cross
10.10 via Newark North Gate (11.27) 11.34 arr 11.57, rtn 18.09 via
Newark (18.32) 18.40 arr 20.14. Saver return £52.90, advance returns
from £36. Sheffield 09.44 arr 11.04, rtn 17.22 arr 18.33. Day return £12.70-13.70.
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 Lincoln is a pleasant enough cathedral city to visit - and Sincil Bank is a neat ground and the locals friendly. There's a visitors' guide on the Lincoln council website, which includes an accommodation list.
Lincoln Tourist Information Centre, 9 Castle Hill, Tel: (01522) 873213 runs an advanced accommodation booking service.
If stopping, there's the Gothic cathedral and a copy of the original
of Magna Carta on display at the Castle - not that Lincoln are usually
associated with big signings.
Real ale/Near the stadium
One of the benefits of Lincoln's
perennial play-off failure, is that we can continue to enjoy the
delights of their boozers. The local CAMRA have a two-page guide
to real ale
pubs - in PDF format, including map. There is also their website.
As it points out, there are 80 pubs across the city and plenty within
walking distance of the ground and station. Lincoln, apart from
the usual minority, is nevertheless one of the friendliest places
for opposing fans to visit. Darlington fans have had a very warm
welcome; the Imps' experience of backs to the wall, and bouncing
back from a season in the Conference in years gone back, is all
part of it.
 The
Golden Eagle, 21 High Street
DAFTS away
pub of the year 2002/2003. Not the largest, but a very friendly
real ale pub, with plenty of choice of beers and a welcome both
sides of the bar. Landlord Peter Harris told us: "I must say the
Darlington fans are about the best travelling fans we receive in
our little boozer and will always be welcome."
 Supporters
mix freely and it's worth the longer walk past the ground. This
18th century coaching inn is recommended too by CAMRA. Sky TV and
a quieter lounge, although no food. Check out their website
for more inf. DAFTS recommended. Also click for street
map
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Real ale/City centre & near
station
The Portland Arms 50 Portland Street
Friendly pub, 10 minutes from the ground. Lively bar and quieter lounge,
with great beer, pies and rolls.
Sippers
26 Melville Street
Close to the railway and bus stations.
The Victoria, 6 Union Road
City centre real ale pub, part of the same group of pubs as The Golden Eagle, also does food until 2.30pm.
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| Near/at the stadium  The George & Dragon
100 High Street
Away fans are welcome and a range of beers, close to the ground.
The Miller's Arms
88 High Street Another friendly pub for away fans
almost opposite the approach to the ground.
Ritz High Street/Tanners
Lane A hard-to-miss Wetherspoon's, not far from the
station, towards the ground.
Centre Spot Lincoln
City FC Away fans are also welcome at the football club's
social centre, which has Sky TV and for those who're hungry, hot pork
rolls.
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Eating
Plenty of take-aways in High
Street. For those staying over, there are plenty of restaurants
- including a Mexican - Tequila's at 77 Bailgate in the city centre.
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