Farman a 10 – We Rate Holdsworth’s Heroes & Zeroes.

Against Forest Green Rovers, Paul Farman earned the first 10 out of 10 grade of  the season (England C manager Paul Fairclough take note), although Andy Boyce also warranted a 9 and, Miller an 8,  in the face of an onslaught. Both were even prepared to get forward and have a go when they could.

It is very easy in another season of dross to forget the heroes, though that is a relative notion, it has to be said. Nicky Nicolau, not everyone’s cup of tea, has stuck to his guns, is now joint top scorer and, has shown an ability when it comes to corners, free-kicks and some eye-catching goals. For this he deserves credit.

In truth,  the defence has been nothing short of outstanding.  It has needed to be. Quite why Gray, who lacks just pace, is not in the centre of midfield, when Robson is more than competent beggars questions, given the centre of midfield  is still the clubs achilles heel.  That we play 4 in there, ineffectively, most weeks, almost sees us play 9-10 against 11.

The strikers at Lincoln City are starved. Nicolau is now joint top scorer yet he was a bit part player in the opening games. Taylor, on 3 with him, is our little ray of light and it is a travesty to see him on the bench. Larkin, for all his gifts, does not inspire the fans like Jamie does. Both are the little man to Oliver, who will go on to better things. He would do so sooner rather than later, if he got the service.

We do have the side and the spirit.  Perhaps formation is the key and taking one from midfield does stand out. As to whether that should go into defence or attack is anyone’s guess.  I am not a manager, although just a 5% chance of success, according to the chairman, is a little pessimistic, not to mention a broad brush stroke on the part of managerial chances. Success in football is again relative.  Although only 2 go up in the BSP (sub 5%), a bad example,  the play-offs also equate to 16%. In most Divisions 3 -4 will go up (13-16%), with the play-offs affording 16%-18% on top. Surely reaching the play-offs or Champions League places are a mark of success. As is consolidation, top half finishes and when the chips are down, avoiding relegation at the other end of the scale.

Relativity again, but, being a man of stats, let us get back to the tale of the tape of the Mighty Imps this season.  Only you can be the judge as to whether the stats do in fact sometimes lie. Indeed only you can judge as to whether, as an overall product and entertainment package, they are worth the entry fee even with the six-pack making its return.

Player Ratings

The table below shows the full cumulative total, seasonal average and all 12 games ratings for each player. The ex-Imps (McCammon & Daley), are in a separate table below the first.

		Tot	Ave	KH	CU	NC	MT	G	EU	AT	TE	H	Ta	Nu	FG
1	Paul Farman	93	7.75	8	7	6	8	8	8	9	8	7	7	7	10
27	Jake Turner	0
2	Paul Robson	24	6					6	6	6					6
3	John Nutter	66	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	6	6	7	6	6
4	Gary Mills	64	6.4	7	7	6	5	7	7	6	7	8	4
5	Andy Boyce	80	7.27	7	8	7	7		7	7	7	7	7	7	9
6
7	Adam Smith	32	6.4	6	8	6								6	6
8	Alan Power	37	5.28	5	6	6	5	6	5	4
9	Rob Duffey	18	6	6	6	6
10	Jamie Taylor	76	6.9	8	7	7	8	7	6	8	7		6	6	6
11	Conal Platt	0
12	Jake Sheridan	73	6.08	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	7	6	6	6
14	Vadaine Oliver	68	6.18	6	6		5	5	6	6	8	8	6	6	6
15	Dan Gray	80	6.66	7	7	6	6	7	7	7	7	7	6	7	6
16	Nicky Nicolau	70	6.36	6	6	5	6	6	6	8	7	7		7	6
17	Bradley Baraclough	0
18	Peter Bore	24	6							6	6	6	6
19	Graham Hutchison	46	6.57				6	7	7	6	7	7	6
20	Tom Miller	36	7.2	7	7	7								7	8
22	Frazer Cobb	0
23	Elliot Green	0
26	Geoffrey Gouveia	0
29	Connor Robinson	39	6.5					8	6			7	6	6	6
31	David Morgan	25	6.25									7	6	6	6
34	Colin Larkin	50	6.25				6	7	6	6	6	7		6	6
37	Mamadou Fofana	32	6.4								6	7	7	6	6

	EX IMPS
35	Luke Dayley	33	6.6	7	7	7	6	6
37	Mark McCammon	6	6	.		6

Last update 29 Sep12 11.00 a.m.

Prof’s Sincil Stats On Sunday – Aug / Sep Special

Welcome to our weekly statistical analysis for the Lincoln City squad. After John Nutter’s withdrawal from the Forest Green game just Dan Gray and Paul Farman have played every game, thus crossing the 4-figure  threshold for on-pitch minutes.

David Holdsworth has used 22 players in our first twelve games. Few would deny that Farman and the defence have been outstanding, with Nicky Nicolau, now joint top scorer and growing into the set-piece role.

Please feel free to click on a  name for the players pen pic .  players latest stats. Data updated by Sunday and Wednesday.

Sq no	NAME	Starts	sub	Mins	Saves	Let in	Clean sheets	YC	RC	Mins per goal
1	Paul Farman	12	0	1080	49	16	1	1	0	62
27	Jake Turner	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sq no	Player	Starts	sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Sh/on	Assists	YC	RC
2	Paul Robson	3	1	291	0	0	0	0	1	0
3	John Nutter	11	0	990	0	2	1	0	0	0
4	Gary Mills	9	1	805	0	4	2	0	1	1
5	Andy Boyce	10	0	955	2	11	6	0	3	0
7	Adam Smith	5	0	338	0	3	2	1	0	0
8	Alan Power	7	0	571	0	7	4	0	0	0
9	Rob Duffy	3	0	223	0	3	1	0	0	0
10	Jamie Taylor	8	3	783	3	21	12	1	2	0
11	Conal Platt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Jake Sheridan	7	5	644	0	9	3	1	2	0
14	Vadaine Oliver	5	6	533	2	17	6	1	1	0
15	Dan Gray	11	0	1080	0	3	1	2	1	0
16	Nicky Nicolau	7	5	520	3	10	7	1	0	0
17	Bradley Baraclough	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
18	Peter Bore	2	2	183	0	2	1	1	0	0
19	Graham Hutchison	7	0	518	0	1	0	0	0	0
20	Tom Miller	5	0	450	1	2	1	0	1	0
22	Frazer Cobb	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
23	Elliot Green	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
26	Geoffrey Gouveia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
29	Connor Robinson	1	5	142	1	1	0	1	0	0
31	David Morgan	3	1	275	0	2	1	0	2	0
34	Colin Larkin	5	3	465	2	15	8	1	0	0
37	Mamadou Fofana	5	0	450	0	3	0	0	0	0
	Ex Imps
Sq no	Player name	Starts	sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Shots on	Assists	YC	RC
6	Joshua Gowling	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
35	Luke Daley	4	0	315	0	1	0	1	0	0
37	Mark McCammon	1	1	115	0	0	0	0	0	0

 Updated 29 Sept 11.00

Save the Mighty Imps presents the Lincoln City squad 2012/13 section (see menu tab at the top) it is devoted to those that wear the red and white stripes, bookmark / add to favourites as this is the unofficial LCFC squad home page and your one click destination for  Imps player pen pics and Lincoln City player player stats, plus David Holdsworths pearls of wisdom as the season unfolds.

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Leeds United Youth Proof: Byram and Poleon

Sam Byram and Dom Poleon are the latest off the busy Leeds United conveyor belt.  Dave Kirkbright takes a look at them and a decade and a half of further proof in the Leeds fountain of youth.

The opening day of the season and due to a Tom Lees injury Peltier is shifted into centre back with a young Sam Byram making his league debut at right back. The next 90 minutes was staggering, he kept Matt Jarvis in his back pocket for 90 minutes and helped Leeds to a 1 nil victory. Matt Jarvis isn’t just your everyday football league winger, he’s played over 100 premiership games and has represented England. Since then Byram has played Rb, RW and CM and no matter where he plays he continually puts in a superb performance. Not many youngsters are trusted to play in positions all over the field and are capable of performing in all of them. Go forward a few weeks and Leeds play Forest at home, after impressing as a sub a few days earlier Warnock gives a start to Dom Poleon. He not only causes problems for Forest he also scores Leeds second to seal the win and end Forest’s unbeaten start. These two are the latest in a long line of players to progress through the Leeds youth set up.

I’m gonna look back over the last 15 years at some of the players produced and where they are now, what they have achieved and if leaving Leeds at an early age is a big mistake….. click to read the full article from Dave  here

 

Barnacles of Botchulism

After a creditable result at Forest Green Rovers and with the Big Luton game…. and Wrexham…and Mansfield…. in front of us Mr Chris P Bacon gives his unique take on the road ahead.

It was good to hear Lord Bob on the wireless this morning with Squire Steve, the dynamic duo of Lincoln City who should both be given the freedom of the city for the faithful, in my humble opinion.

Lord Bob came over so well I think he needs his own show on the station and I’m sure he will play a lot of hits from the 1950’s very well!

Anyway tonight the Faithful are off to Forest Green.  I’ve looked into my A to Z that is glued to my clipboard and haven’t a clue where it is, but probably somewhere in Nottinghamshire.   I’m so happy finding these places and it’s so much nicer than going to Rotherham, I can tell you!

Well we got there in the end and I don’t know why I was told it’s in Nottingham, but in the Gotswoulds, wherever that is!  When I heard the Wolds bit I thought I’d be turning back East up the A46 towards Grimsby but thankfully we had a good navigator with us and we got there just in time to see Forest Green nick it one nil in the onion bag.

Well the club is struggling again and I’ve said it before but being in a Premier League isn’t for Lincoln City.  We need to get into the North or the Unigate as quickly as possible!  Forest Green got three more in the onion bag against nothing for the Mighty Imps.  My prediction of playing in the Blue Square North next season is coming up fine and I’ll be delighted to find Vauxhall on the map, too!  Don’t forget that if you finish bottom all you need to do is turn the League upside down and you are top.  That’s what I’ll be doing from now on, the charge to the BSN is on for the Mighty Imps and don’t let any cockneys tell you otherwise!

Stats: FGR 3 Imps 0 Rovers Ravage Limp Imps

Forest Green Rovers dealt the Imps three of the best and a football lesson, in front of the Premier Sports TV cameras last night. On 16 Stokes played in Klukowski, who cut back for Taylor to stroke home comsumately from close range.  On 51 a surging run and cross from Asafu-Adjaye saw Taylor complete his brace with a powerful header that again gave Farman no chance. On 63,  a Wright corner saw Farman deny Taylor a glorious headed third, only for sub Viera to sweep home Rovers third. Farman was magnificent, as was Boyce and Miller, but three do not a team make, when you are up against the cream of the BSP.

Thanks for reading the Prof

 V 

Friday  28th September K.O 7.45 pm

Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Lincoln City FC 

(H/T 1 -0)

Scorers

Taylor 16  & 51  Viera 63

Att  1395

 Rovers 1300 Imps  95

*****

The teams & Schemes

  

4-4-2 (switched to 4-3-3 on 52)

***

23 Russell

16 Asafu-Adjaye 5 Turley  15 Oshodi  3 Stokes (Y-60)

12 Collins 4 Bangura 8 Klukowski 11 Forbes  (Y-86)

14 Taylor  18 Wright 

*****

Substitutions

52 Viera for Bangura 70 Brogan for Klukowski 82 Koroma for Wright

***

Subs 

28 Brogan 7 Koroma 9 Styche 10 Viera 20 Norwood

 

1 Farman

 2 Robson (Y-86) 20 Miller 5 Boyce (Y-56) 15 Gray  

16 Nicolau  35 Morgan (Y-3)  37 Fofana 7 Smith

14 Vadaine 34 Larkin

***

Substitutions

65 Sheridan for Nicolau 65 Robinson for Larkin 65 Taylor for Smith

Subs

27 Turner,  19 Hutchison 12 Sheridan 10 Taylor, 39 Robinson

 V 

Friday  28th September K.O 7.45 pm

Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Lincoln City FC 

(H/T 1-0 )

*****

Stats

Note

shots on includes goals and saves includes crosses claimed

*****

52% Ball 48%

11 Shots on 4

8 Misses 5

4 Saves 8

9 Corners 5

7 Offside 3

5 Fouls 12

2 Yellows 3

BSP Table

Pos		Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1		Forest Green Rovers	12	8	3	1	23	10	13	27
2		Newport County AFC	11	8	1	2	24	12	12	25
3		Wrexham	11	6	4	1	18	7	11	22
4		Grimsby Town	11	5	5	1	18	7	11	20
5		Luton Town	11	6	2	3	19	16	3	20
6		Dartford	11	6	1	4	20	13	7	19
7		Macclesfield Town	10	6	1	3	21	17	4	19
8		Tamworth	11	5	1	5	15	14	1	16
9		Woking	11	5	1	5	21	21	0	16
10		Mansfield Town	10	5	1	4	19	20	-1	16
11		Hereford United	11	5	1	5	20	23	-3	16
12		Gateshead	11	4	3	4	15	15	0	15
13		AFC Telford United	11	3	5	3	19	17	2	14
14		Southport	11	3	4	4	13	18	-5	13
15		Braintree Town	11	3	3	5	12	16	-4	12
16		Alfreton Town	10	3	3	4	14	19	-5	12
17		Lincoln City	12	3	3	6	14	19	-5	12
18		Stockport County	11	2	5	4	12	14	-2	11
19		Cambridge United	11	2	4	5	18	24	-6	10
20		Nuneaton	11	2	4	5	19	26	-7	10
21		Barrow	11	2	4	5	12	20	-8	10
22		Ebbsfleet United	11	2	3	6	18	26	-8	9
23		Kidderminster Harriers	11	1	5	5	10	14	-4	8
24		Hyde FC	10	1	3	6	13	19	-6	6

FGR 3 Imps 0 Jobs For Reg & Farman For Life Then?

The Imps were thoroughly outclassed by Forest Green, as a seasonal high of 1396 witnessed a 3-0 TV treat.  Green go top, the Imps slip to 15th but Chairman Bob Dorrian will still be adamant that David Holdsworth needs time. He will doubtless need and get it too, with only the back four & Farman between us and Luton Town, Wrexham, Mansfield and Stockport soon to plunder. Well the excuses will be one in the same given the strength of the opposition surely? But this is about football, which has two teams contesting the spoils and foes Forest Green, played the sort of stuff that was a credit to the BSP last night, sweeping us aside, their fans look to be in for an exiting 2012/13 ride.

For the benefit of Rovers fans, visiting the site for the first time, first the  formations, then the match report and finally more stats than you can shake an Imp or Green fan at. Thanks for reading Neil Gentleman-HobbsThanks for reading the Prof

 V 

Friday  28th September K.O 7.45 pm

Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Lincoln City FC 

(H/T 1 -0)

Scorers

Taylor 16  & 51  Viera 63

Att  1395

 Rovers 1300 Imps  95

*****

The teams & Schemes

  

4-4-2 (switched to 4-3-3 on 52)

***

23 Russell

16 Asafu-Adjaye 5 Turley  15 Oshodi  3 Stokes (Y-60)

8 Klukowski 12 Collins 4 Bangura  11 Forbes  (Y-86)

14 Taylor  18 Wright 

*****

Substitutions

52 Viera for Bangura 70 Brogan for Klukowski 82 Koroma for Wright

***

Subs 

28 Brogan 7 Koroma 9 Styche 10 Viera 20 Norwood

 

1 Farman

 2 Robson (Y-86) 20 Miller 5 Boyce (Y-56) 15 Gray  

16 Nicolau  35 Morgan (Y-3)  37 Fofana 7 Smith

14 Vadaine 34 Larkin

***

Substitutions

65 Sheridan for Nicolau 65 Robinson for Larkin 65 Taylor for Smith

Subs

27 Turner,  19 Hutchison 12 Sheridan 10 Taylor, 39 Robinson

But to the Game fellow fans, to the game……………..

An early Larkin run was curtailed by the offside flag. Morgan got yet another yellow in the third minute as he stopped Forbes before he got into full flow. Right-back Asafu-Adjaye, keen to overlap throughout beat Gray for pace but Taylor was ruled offside.  Taylor sounded an early warning with a smart drive past the post.  A cross from Stokes sees captain Boyce clear the danger at the expense of a corner which Farman claims superbly amidst the hurley-burley of the box.

Miller was deemed to have fouled Taylor, Wright in charge of most corners and free-kicks floats one in but Boyce reigns supreme to head clear the danger.  Nicolau tries a 20 yarder that was bravely blocked by Turley for a corner. Nicky floats in a beauty but Boyce’s effort is deflected wide for a second corner. Nicolau finds Boyce again but his header is over.  Stokes looks away on the overlap again but Robson is alert to the danger. He is away again but Boyce clears this time.

Stokes again, feeds Klukowski, a gifted fellow, who surges into the box and cuts back to Taylor. His close range stroke sees Farman and a static defence stranded.  Smith then earns a corner off Stokes who intercepts his delivery. Nicolau’s corner is claimed by Russell.  Gray is then penalised for a foul on Klukowski who has him beat for pace. Wright’s free-kick is cleared by Miller. He and Boyce had towering performances as the midfield are mesmerised by a far superior quartet. Larkin gets a rare sniff but shoots wide from distance.  Smith gets over a cross come shot that credits Russell with a save.

Klukowski and Taylor combined superbly, but the strikers fizzing 20-yarder is denied by a heroic Boyce. Another shot on the turn from Taylor sees Farman keep us in with a wee sniff at best.  Boyce and Miller, again, clear a cross and a corner, as the backs to the wall performance continues.  Smith then wins a corner off Oshodi. Nicolau swings in a peach, Miller shoots, but Russell saves superbly.  Our one real chance, for Bob’s point, had gone with that you felt. We did enjoy a purple patch of sorts as the half closed. Gray’s cross is blocked by Collins and Nicolau sends one over and straight down Russell’s throat

Second Half

Both managers keep the faith. Asafu-Adjaye again roasts Gray but  Miller reads and clears the cross. Asafu-Adjaye, again, on 51, on the overlap, skins our left flank and crosses a peach for Taylor to power home a header.  Bangura is then replaced by Viera as FGR revert to their customary 4-3-3 formation with 3 of their formidable strikers on display.  Smith’s cross is easily charged down and cleared by Asafu-Adjaye. Boyce fouls Taylor for a yellow. Farman flapped at Wright’s free-kick, but his point blank save for Turley’s follow-up was jaw dropping.

Stokes saw yellow for a foul on Smith, Gray sends over the free-kick but Oliver is adjudged to have fouled Collins. Miller blocked a Taylor shot but it was a short reprieve as the led to the a third on 63.  Wright sent in a beauty, Taylor’s header was parried by Farman, but sub Viera was on hand to feast on the leftovers, with a crisp drive from point blank range. Holdsworth went for the triple substitution again on 65 (Sheridan for Nicolau, Robinson for Larkin, Taylor for Smith). Fofana tried a speculative effort that was just over the bar.  Stokes is slowed down by Sheridan for a free-kick and Klukowski is rested for Brogan. Wright goes close with a ferocious free-kick. Taylor’s lob from 35 yards was one for the purists, but Farman palms over the bar.  The Imps fail to clear a corner and Farman denies Forbes fizzing 20-yard drive at the expense of another corner.

A short corner from Wright sees him centre but another fantastic save from Farman again denies Taylor a hat-trick.  Taylor, then outwits an overworked back four with a back-heel but Brogan’s belter is brilliantly blocked by Farman, worth a 10 and an England recall on this performance. Miller clears another dangerous Wright corner to the near post. On 82 minutes Koroma, the fourth of the formidable four, replaces Wright.  Fofana fouls Forbes and then clears Brogan’s free-kick to undo his own wrong.  Robson fouls Forbes, very much in the wars, then shown a yellow for unsporting behaviour.  Brogan’s free-kick is cleared by Miller.

A corner from Brogan finds Koroma but his effort is deflected behind by Miller. Oshodi heads the resultant corner over the bar.  Another corner sees Taylor shoot wide. A deserved hat-trick may have eluded him, but the man of the match award did not.  Farman was perhaps most deserving, but then winners not losers, garner the prizes and the points.

 V 

Friday  28th September K.O 7.45 pm

Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Lincoln City FC 

(H/T 1-0 )

*****

Stats

Note

shots on includes goals and saves includes crosses claimed

*****

52% Ball 48%

11 Shots on 4

8 Misses 5

4 Saves 8

9 Corners 5

7 Offside 3

5 Fouls 12

2 Yellows 3

BSP Table

Pos		Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1		Forest Green Rovers	12	8	3	1	23	10	13	27
2		Newport County AFC	11	8	1	2	24	12	12	25
3		Wrexham	11	6	4	1	18	7	11	22
4		Grimsby Town	11	5	5	1	18	7	11	20
5		Luton Town	11	6	2	3	19	16	3	20
6		Dartford	11	6	1	4	20	13	7	19
7		Macclesfield Town	10	6	1	3	21	17	4	19
8		Tamworth	11	5	1	5	15	14	1	16
9		Woking	11	5	1	5	21	21	0	16
10		Mansfield Town	10	5	1	4	19	20	-1	16
11		Hereford United	11	5	1	5	20	23	-3	16
12		Gateshead	11	4	3	4	15	15	0	15
13		AFC Telford United	11	3	5	3	19	17	2	14
14		Southport	11	3	4	4	13	18	-5	13
15		Braintree Town	11	3	3	5	12	16	-4	12
16		Alfreton Town	10	3	3	4	14	19	-5	12
17		Lincoln City	12	3	3	6	14	19	-5	12
18		Stockport County	11	2	5	4	12	14	-2	11
19		Cambridge United	11	2	4	5	18	24	-6	10
20		Nuneaton	11	2	4	5	19	26	-7	10
21		Barrow	11	2	4	5	12	20	-8	10
22		Ebbsfleet United	11	2	3	6	18	26	-8	9
23		Kidderminster Harriers	11	1	5	5	10	14	-4	8
24		Hyde FC	10	1	3	6	13	19	-6	6

We Still Love You Even If Colchester Don’t Wardy

Colchester sacked manager John Ward  four days ago after a winless start saw 4 draws and four defeats in their opening 8 games. The Imps Lincolnshire rivals Scunthorpe dealt the last blow, with a 1-0 defeat.

Wardie had conjured top-10 finishes in League 1 for the last two seasons after the U’s former assistant manager replaced Aidy Boothroyd when he left for Coventry.  He managed to get them up to third at one stage, but  7 wins and 9 draws from the remaining 29 games saw the U’s finish 10th.  Last season 13 wins, 20 draws and 13 defeats saw them again finish 10th.

 

Before we look back on a fantastic goal laden playing career here are John’s managerial stats.

Managed	From	To	Record
			G	W	L	D	Win %
York City	1 October 1991	1 March 1993	70	22	24	24	31.42
Bristol Rovers	1 August 1993	10 May 1996	181	77	49	55	42.50
Bristol City	27 March 1997	28 October 1998	84	38	27	19	45.23
Wolverhampton Wanderers	18 December 2000	3 January 2001	4	3	1	0	75.00
Cheltenham Town	6 November 2003	2 October 2007	207	76	77	54	36.71
Carlisle United	2 October 2007	3 November 2008	61	26	23	12	42.62
Colchester United	31 May 2010	24 September 2012	111	33	39	39	29.73
The Tale of the Tape			718	275	240	203	38.30

 

John Ward was a modern day centre forward with the versatility and ability to hit goals from all over the park. In the six-yard box he was deadly, every inch a Lincolnshire poacher from head to toe, going on to become our 4th top scorer of all time with 99 goals from 243 appearances. He had pace and grace but could compete when and where it mattered with an instinctive deadly first time finish. John Ward combined playing for the Imps reserve and ‘A’ sides with appearance for top Lincoln Sunday side Adelaide Park. The insurance boys would have none of that when he signed professionally in March 1971, but he failed to make an impact.  Incredibly he was almost lost to us completely when Herd loaned him to Workington in 1972 where he scored 3 goals in 11 appearances. Workington liked what they saw and made a bid. Fortunately, before any deal was struck David Herd got the boot and Graham recognizing the lads talent decided to keep. John would reward the faith with his first hat trick for the club in the spring against Stockport. John then never looked back

Scoring 17 in 73/74 and 13 in 74/75 reserving his career best for our record breaking 1975/76 Division 4 Championship season. He would deliver 29 League and Cup goals including 4 against Chesterfield and bagging 5 braces against Exeter, Swansea, Brentford, Doncaster, Newport. The people of Lincoln responded with huge gates. We had 14,096 V Donny (5-0) 13,880 V Northampton (3-1) 13,472 V Stoke (LC2 won 2-1) and 12,074 V Barnsley (2-1). There were 2 gates of eleven thousand, 2 of over ten 10,600, 4 gates of 8,000, 5 Gates 7,000k plus and 4 gates of 6,500 plus.

John stayed at the Imps after GT`s departure to Watford but sadly suffered an injury very early into the 1977/78 season. Opening with 4 goals in the first eight games, a broken leg kept him out of action for the rest of the season. He came back the following season but netted only 4 goals in 33 appearances for a struggling club. With typical gates of between 2.5k and 3k with the last 4 home games under 1900, it was no surprise to see us bottom. A fire sale saw Ward follow Sam Ellis and Dennis Booth to Taylor`s Watford for a fee of £15,000 in the summer of 1979. In total he netted just under 100 goals for the Imps (90 League and 9 Cup) for the Imps in 241 appearances, with his overall League and cup tally being 99 goals from 263 games, putting him fifth in the all-time Club goal scoring chart.

Management.

Following a brief spell with Grimsby Town, Ward returned for an even briefer stay at Sincil Bank under Colin Murphy, making one appearance in April 1982, but it he knew he was passed it and hung up his shooting boots returning to Watford in a coaching role. Three years later Graham Taylor appointed Ward as his assistant and the duo worked in tandem for the next six years both with Watford and Aston Villa. Ward was also followed Taylor to the national team.

In November 1991, Ward decided that it was his turn for a stab at management and he was appointed as manager of York City, again with the help of GT, who kindly had a word with the board and sealed the deal. It had been rumoured that he might return to Sincil Bank the year before but sadly Allan Clarke, one of our worst got the job (John Ward is a local lad and was also linked with the Imps prior to Schofield getting the job). Ward meanwhile guided York to promotion via the playoffs in his second year before Bristol Rovers made their move. He took the Pirates to the play-off final in 1995, losing at Wembley to Huddersfield Town. After a spell as assistant to Adrian Heath at Burnley, Ward returned to Bristol, this time with City. The playoff touch revived the Robins’ season as they too reached the play-offs. Brentford beat them but the following season Ward got his success. No playoffs were needed this time City gained automatic promotion.

Finding himself unduly unemployed Ward was then appointed as assistant to Wolves’ boss Colin Lee, who got the chop. Dave Jones retained him as his right-hand man at Molineux as they built a solid squad in readiness for the Premiership. John`s playoff touch did not let them down as they blunted the blades in May 2003. Despite helping Wolves finally achieve their goal of a return to the top flight, Ward left Molineux in the summer after a reshuffle. Cheltenham Town snapped him up on November 6th 2003 and yes you`ve guessed it he took them up via the play-offs battering the Cods in 2006. He kept them up the following season before Carlisle came knocking in October 2007. He guided the Cumbrians to the verge of the Championship with a play-off position in his first season in charge but a poor start to 2008/09 ensured he left by mutual consent on November 3rd 2008.

It was no secret that many Imps wanted to see John Ward join the Imps as manager as opposed to Chris Sutton. The rumour was that he does not want to return to the Imps for fear of failing in a place he still considers being his own back yard.  Instead he applied for jobs at Swindon and Port Vale (losing out to Micky Adams) prior to appointed as Stockport County’s assistant manager under Gary Ablett. He then moved to Colchester United to work under Aidy Boothroyd but stuck around after Aidy took the Coventry job.  He managed to get them up to third at one stage, but  7 wins and 9 draws from the remaining 29 games saw the U’s finish 10th.  Last season 13 wins, 20 draws and 13 defeats saw them again finish 10th.

 

Full Name: John Patrick Ward

Date Of Birth : 07/04/1951
Birthplace : Lincoln

LCFC career record : Apps : 263 ; Subs : 20 ; Goals : 99

Season 1970/1971 : Div4
Apps : 3 ; Subs : 1 ; Goals : 1
LCFC Debut : 27/03/1971, Workington (a) 1-2, FL Division 4
Scored in a 4-5 defefeat at home on 3/4/71.
Position 21st

Season 1971/1972 : Div4
Apps : 10 ; Subs : 3 ; Goals : 5
Braces: Brentford.
Highest Att 16,498 V Scunthorpe (1-0 and went 2nd) 15,856 V Cods (2-2), 12,199 Southend (0-0)
Typical Crowd 6000 – 3 over 7,500, 2 8K plus and 2 9k
Position 5th

Season 1972/1973 : Div4
Apps : 17 ; Subs : 4 ; Goals : 8
Hat trick Stockport
Braces Southport.
Highest Att 7,400 V Burnley had 5 gates over 6,000.
Typical crowd 4,000
Position 10th

Season 1973/1974 : Div4
Apps : 40 ; Subs : 2 ; Goals : 17
Highest Att 7,153 V Gillingham, 5 gates over 6,000
Typical crowd 2,500-4k
Position 11th

Season 1974/1975 : Div4
Apps : 37 ; Subs : 2 ; Goals : 13
Highest Att 13,108 V Mansfield
Typical gate 5,000 with 3 gates of 8k plus, 3 Gates 7k plus and 4 gates of 6k plus
Position 5th

Season 1975/1976 : Div4
Apps : 47 ; Subs : 5 ; Goals : 29
4`s Chesterfield
Braces Exeter, Swansea, Brentford, Doncaster, Newport.
Highest Atts: 14,096 V Donny (5-0) 13,880 V Northampton (3-1) 13,472 V Stoke (LC2 won 2-1) 12,074 V Barnsley (2-1), 2 gates of 11k plus, 2 10.5k plus, 4 gates of 8k plus, 5 Gates 7k plus and 4 gates of 6.5 k plus
Position CHAMPIONS

Season 1976/1977 : Div3
Apps : 47 ; Subs : 1 ; Goals : 18
Braces V Chesterfield, Reading & Gillingham
6K Highest crowd 14,706 V Sheff Wed, 11,645 V Cods, 11,414 V Burnley
Typical gate – 2 gates 9k, 1 8k plus, 6 Gates 7k plus and 7 gates of 6.5 k plus
Position 8th

Season 1977/1978 : Div3
Apps : 8 ; Subs : 0 ; Goals : 4
Brace V Walsall
Highest Crowd 8,811 V Sheff Wed
Typical crowds 4k as we struggled most of the season with only 3 gates over 6k
Position 15th

Season 1978/1979 : Div3
Apps : 33 ; Subs : 2 ; Goals : 4
Highest Crowd Sheff Wed 7,007
Typical crowds 2.5k – 3k last 4 home games under 1900.
Position Bottom

Season 1981/1982 : Div3
Apps : 1 ; Subs : 0 ; Goals : 0
Highest Gates: Watford 8,763 LC 3R replay (lost 2-3), Huddersfield 8,243 (2-0)
Typical gate. 4k
Position 4th one point from a return to DIV 2, we were pipped by Fulham after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on the last day in front of 20,461.

Top 10 scorers of all time

1 Andy Graver (50/51-54/55,55/56,58/59-60/61) Apps : 289 ; Goals : 150
2 Johnny Campbell (33/34-38/39) Aps 198(0) Goals 110
3 Gordon Hobson (77/78-84/85,88/89-89/90 Aps 372 (14) Goals 105
4 John Ward (70/71-78/79,81/82) Aps 243 (20) Goals 99
5 Billy Dinsdale (26/27-30,30/31) Aps 136 Goals 103
6 Johnny Garvie (50/51-55/56) Aps 192 (0) Goals 80
7 Roy Chapman (57/58-60/61, 64/65-66/67) Aps 186 (1) Goals 81
8 Allan Hall (1931/32-1932/33) Aps 76 (0) Goals 68
9 Percy Freeman (70/71-72/73, 74/75-76/77 Aps 166 (15) Goals 76
10 Ernie Whittle (1949/50-1953/54 151 aps 64 goals

6 Pack Is Back – £12.50 a game or Less

The Lincoln City 6-pack is back from Monday 1st October at 10 A.M. STMI have also done comparison tables for match-day and “Early Bird” prices. 

 Below the images you will find three tables, first the 6-Pack, second normal match-day prices and third the early bird.

 Feel free to Click on any of the images to enlarge to larger size.

 

SIX-PACK

On sale from 10.00am on Monday 1 October 2012 and will be available to purchase until 4.00pm on Monday 31 December 2012.

 

AREA	Adult	Conc.	U18
Co-op Stand	£85	£65	£30
Echo Stand	£85	£65	£30
Stacey West Stand	£75	£55	£30
Bridge McFarland Stand	£75	£55	£30
Mattressman Family Stand	£75	£55	£30
T&R VIP Club	N/A	N/A	N/A

 

MATCH DAY

 

AREA	Adult	Conc.	U18
Co-op Stand	£18	£13	£7
Echo Stand	£18	£13	£7
Stacey West Stand	£16	£11	£7
Bridge McFarland Stand	£16	£11	£7
Family Stand	£16	£11	£7
T&R VIP Club	£37	£37	£37

EARLY BIRD

Available to fans who purchase tickets in advance of  the match.

(normally 5p.m. of the preceeding day)

 

AREA	Adult	Conc.	U18
Co-op Stand	£16	£12	£6
Echo Stand	£16	£12	£6
Stacey West Stand	£14	£10	£6
Bridge McFarland Stand	£14	£10	£6
Family Stand	£14	£10	£6
T&R VIP Club	£35	£35	£35

New Ground? Substantial New Investment?

Imps Chairman Bob Dorrian and Lincoln City Holdings have clearly been playing things close to their chests. But today’s Q & A with BBC Radio Lincolnshire has shed at least a little light upon the goings on behind the scenes at an increasingly less community club. If only they would match this pro-activity and investment of time and creativity in a direction that would help us on the pitch.

The Imps appear to be in talks with an investor who could look to invest substantial funds. As to whether this involves ‘the consortium of up to twenty’ that is doing the rounds is anyone’s guess, although Mr Dorrian did say ‘investor’ suggesting this would not be a buyout of Lincoln City Holdings as such.  Another director will be coming on board in the new year in addition to the said ‘investor’.

With regard to the intended ground move, perhaps Lincolnshire’s worst kept secret, given his trips to the Proact stadium, Chesterfield, Bob was also drawn to comment.

“We are still in conversations with various people with regard to a  move from our current site at Sincil Bank. We are going to visit a couple of new Football League grounds that have been built so we can get some ideas.”

Premier Sports Live One – FGR V Imps – Bob Fancies A Point Then!

Back-to-back 2-1 wins away at Hereford United and Macclesfield Town suggest Forest Green Rovers are getting into the groove ahead of Premier Sports TV’s live Friday football fiesta.  Rovers are the best away travelled side, but just 9th at home, suggesting the Imps could well pull off a surprise – and as Bob Dorrian suggested on the radio today – put away those chances that could have seen us occupy a play-off place. Sitting second FGR, are one of our rivals then, so let us hope the proof of the pudding is in the eating as an expectant Impdom settles into their armchairs.  A good result in this one would see set us up for the visit of Luton and what is being billed as the Big Game next week. 

Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs & Prof Albeanz-Present

  V 

Friday  28th September K.O 7.45 pm

Away Fans Prices

Adults £16

Cons 65+£12 U21 £8 students £8

U16 £5

EESI Stand seats (500)

GROUND GUIDE

STMI extends a warm welcome to FGR fans visiting the site, let’s cut to the chase and go look at the form of the foe.

 The Foes  Formidable Form

	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	G Dif	Points
1st Newport	11	8	1	2	12	25
2nd Forest Green Rovers	11	7	3	1	10	24
15th Lincoln City	11	3	3	5	-2	12

Recent Results (last 1st)			Results breakdown
Hereford	1
FGR	2		G	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts	Position
Macclesfield	1	Home	5	3	2	0	12	5	7	11	9
FGR	2	Away	6	4	1	1	8	5	3	13	1
FGR	1	Overall	11	7	3	1	20	10	10	24	2
Alfreton	1	The last 5’s
Grimsby	1		G	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts	Position
FGR	0	Overall	5	3	1	1	9	5	4	10	3
FGR	4	Home	5	3	2	0	12	5	7	11	7
Ebbsfleet	1	Away	5	3	1	1	6	4	2	10	1
FGR	3	Form By Month
Hyde	1		G	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts	Position
K Harriers	0	August	5	3	2	0	8	4	4	11	3
FGR	1	September	6	4	1	1	12	6	6	13	3

 Summer Transfer Dealings

Rovers or The Green,  who are living up to their billing as one of the pre-season favourites, are also aptly bankrolled by green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince. FGR certainly strengthened in the summer; in came defenders Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Luton Town) and Paul Green (Tamworth) as well as 4 new strikers- Magno Viera (Fleetwood Town), Ben Wright  (Braintree Town) Phil Marsh (Stalybridge Celtic) and ex Portsmouth and Norwich City prodigy Omar Koroma who they feel is over his injury woes.

Additions – Ex Southampton centre-back Aaron Racine also earned a two year deal in September.  Former Watford Youth Eddie Oshodi also joined on Oct 7th.

Summer 2012

IN- Defender Paul Green from Tamworth

IN- Defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye from Luton.

OUT- Keeper James Bittner to Hereford

OUT- Defender Luke Graham to Hereford

IN- Striker Magno Vieira from Fleetwood

IN- Striker Phil Marsh from Stalybridge

IN- Striker Ben Wright from Braintree

IN-Striker Omar Koroma on 3 year deal

  £££ – Ker-ching 

Highest Home Gate	1128	Cambridge
Lowest home gate	768	Hyde
Average Home Gate	972
Total Turnstile Clicks	4861

 Heroes & Villains

Goal machines	Goals		Assists
Taylor	4	Norwood	4
Klukowski	4	Collins	2
Wright	3	Marsh	2
Styche	2	(7 lads)	1
6 players	1
Villains	Yellows		Reds
Asafu-Adjaye	3
Racine	2
Oshodi	2
Styche	2
(7 lads)	1
16 YELLOWS		0 REDS

Keeper corner – Sam Russell

Sam Russell is a great all round keeper with a strong back four in front of him, so it is no surprise  that he is conceding just under a goal a game (every 99 minutes).  This, despite keeping  just one clean sheet, has seen 48 saves, 12 of which came against an Alfreton charge that saw a 1-1 draw.

Games	Sub	Conceded	Saves	Mins Played	Clean sheets	Mins per goal	Yc’s	Rc’s
11	0	10	48	990	1	99	1	0

The FGR Squad

Goalkeepers

1 Matt Bulman, 23 Sam Russell

 

Defenders

 2 Jarod Hodkiss, 3 Chris Stokes, 5 Jamie Turley, 6 Chris Todd, 15 Eddie Oshodi,  16 Ed Asafu-Adjaye, 21 Aaron Racine 22 Paul Green,

 

Midfielders

20 James Norwood, 8 Yan Klukowski, 11 Kieron Forbes, 19 James Rowe,  4 Al Bangura, 26 Ashley Brown, 12 Jamie Collins 24 George Washbourne 28 Stephen Brogan  ? Adrian Harvey,  

 

Strikers

9 Reece Styche, 10 Magno Vieira, 17 Phil Marsh, 18 Ben Wright,

14 Matty Taylor, 7 Omar ‘OJ’ Koroma 25 Saul Williams