16 Connor Robinson

Connor Robinson is our little ray of sunshine  and every time he gets on the pitch he shows  a genuine appetite for the game. His cameo appearances pre-season against tiring legs illustrate the power of youth and exuberance, but it is misleading and if the head is to rule the heart, as it should, 19 year-old Connor needs to be eased into a league full of hard men. Undoubtedly over a 50 match Marathon he will get his chance  under manager Gary Simpson and double last years 4 goal haul.

Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

Connor has not had it easy since starring in the Imps 3-0 Youth Cup Final win over Chesterfield at the B2Net Stadium in April. He made his debut as a sub against Hayes in the BSP in 2011/12 and was given a two year first pro contract. But like all  5 of Grants prodigal sons from the fountain of youth but like all the youngsters, given a heraldic fanfare in the Summer, he was discarded by Holdsworth.

In 2012/13 Connor’s cameos were still a treat to behold with 4 goals in 5 starts and just 682 minutes of first team football. A March loan to Worksop for a month, under the stewardship of Simon Clark, only earned him two sub appearances in a season that could have been so much more under a different manager and different circumstances.

Gary Simpson is the perfect manager to heal last years memories. A good pre-season should see Connor start to realise a potential that could see him reborn. Imp born and bred, he feels the passion and may well be a perfect replacement for Jamie Taylor one day if Simmo can develop the lad. He deserves his chance and we Imps so want him to succeed.

Thus far his impact on games has been as limited as it has been explosive, but his time is about to come, one feels, upon the Sincil stage. One can understand the desire to protect him during the tough times but Connor is ready and chomping at the bit to deliver for his Imps. Lincoln born, Lincoln Bred, Connor’s an Imp until he’s dead.

 

Connor’s  Imp stats 2012/13
No 39	Comp	Starts	Sub	Goals	Assists	Shots	Fouls	Fouled	Mins	YC	RC
Winger	BSP	5	14	4	1	11	9	12	682	9	0

 

Worksop stats 2012/13
	Comp	Starts	Sub	Goals	Assists	Shots	Fouls	Fouled	Mins	YC	RC
Striker	BSP	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	27	0	0

 

Connor’s  Imp stats 2011/12
No 36	Comp	Starts	Sub	Goals	Assists	Shots	Fouls	Fouled	Mins	YC	RC
Winger	BSP	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	29	0	0

 Connor’s STMI Biopic

Full Name	Connor William Robinson
Date of Birth	11th Oct 1994	Age	19
Place of Birth	Lincoln
Height	5 ft 11 in
Weight	11 st 8lb
	Youth Career
2005-2008	Lincoln City
	Current gig-in-the-game
Club	Lincoln City
Contract	1 year left (30/6/14)
Squad No	16
Pos	RW / Fox-in-the-box
Year	Club	Aps	Gls
2012-	Lincoln City	20	4
2013 (Mar)	Loan – Worksop	2	0

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12 Jake Sheridan

Jake Sheridan has put disappointment atNotts County  and Tamworth FC behind him. He is the personification of self-believe and the work ethic, battling all the way from Dunkirk, in truth, there is none more deserving of a new deal at home from home Lincoln City. Jake never lost the faith or his desire, even when he found himself back in factory work. He joined on a pay as you play non contract deal, earned a one year deal last year and a double bubble two year deal this.

After falling from favour at Notts County the midfielder spent a couple of seasons at Tamworth under Gary Mills. But new gaffer Marcus Law  froze him out so  Jake went part-time with Eastleigh.  This lad personifies the virtues of hard graft. He has the determination at the training ground to keep honing his technique and the desire to pick himself up and earn the right to play on the pitch where it really matters. Jake, is a  hard-working  midfielder and a determined genuine soul who is making his dream come true. He even shared a loan spell at the Imps with minimum wage factory commitments prior to his permanent switch in January 2012.  He is not overly blessed but he will give you 100%  and has proved he has enough to make a living from the game at our level.  Let us hope we see more of the creative side of your game Jake, that step over and eye for a shot or pass  does you and us proud.

Jakes Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
12	Jake Sheridan	33	10	2989	0	47	4	28	30	8	1

Jakes Stats 2011/12

Sq	Name	Starts	sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Shots on	Assists	YC	RC
36	Jake Sheridan	10	8	960	0	10	5	0	3	0

Jake Sheridan

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Jake Sheridan
DATE OF BIRTH	8 July 1986 (age 25)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Nottingham
HEIGHT	5 ft 10 in (1.76 m)
WEIGHT	11st 6lbs (72.64kg)
PLAYING POSITION: MIDFIELDER
CURRENT Deal	Lincoln City 2 year contract
NUMBER	36
YOUTH CAREER
	Dunkirk
SENIOR STATS
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	Notts County	33	(1)
2007–2011	Tamworth	81	(7)
2011–2012	Eastwood Town	5	(0)
2011–2012	Lincoln City (loan)	4	(0)
2012–	Lincoln City	63	(0)

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10 Nick Wright (Forward)

Birmingham City farmed Nick out to Bristol City, Northampton Town and Tamworth before Kidderminster and Mansfield came calling.  It comes as no surprise that the Stags let him go, because the tall, powerful forward is a much misunderstood lad.  Oh he can score goals aright as his hat-trick on Wednesday proves, but forget his huge height, because his goals nearly always come from on the floor.  Therein lies the problem, the obvious physical attributes get in the way of his pace and deadly shooting from width and distance.

Thankyou for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

 KEY = St= starts, Sub= On as Sub, Mins = minutes on the pitch, Ass= Assists, F’s= Fouls, F’ed=Fouled, YC=Yellow Cards, RC= Red Cards. 

No	NAME	St	Sub	Mins	G	On	M	Ass	F’s	F’ed	YC	RC
10	Wright	6	7	576	1	4	6	0	13	4	0	0

Ratings	G	Tot	Ave
Wright	14	100	7.1	7	7	8	8	8	7	8	6	7	7

Mansfield’s Cox signed the 25 year old last season, but there was no way he was going to get in front of Green, who was the most complete centre-forward last year, and the rest of their forward line.  At least they did not try to change him as Birmingham, Bristol City and the Cobblers tried to do. Tamworth and Kidderminster went with his natural flow and reaped the rewards as Nick bagged double digits in the season’s he was with them. If the Imps do the same and we fans do not get on his back, the off days will be outnumbered by the hot streaks and he will get at least 15-20 and contribute to as many more this season.

He really is unplayable when he is on fire, pouncing from either flank or feeding off a target man in a supporting striker role. Although he failed to break into the first team squad at Birmingham, they saw he had something, so Nick saw loan deals with the Lambs, Northampton Town, Ashford and Bristol City.   He signed for the Lambs upon his release from Birmingham in 2007 and bagged 13 and 10 respectively in his first two seasons. He was a massive part of the promotion side that made it back into the BSP in 2008/9 delivering as many assists as goals.

The first season back was a steep learning curve  with Gary Mills leaving him out of the Tamworth side before transfer listing him at the end of the 2009-10 season. Local rivals Kidderminster stepped in and he bagged 8 in 2010/11 and 15 in 2011/12, despite  half his appearances coming from the bench. It was of some surprise to Lambs that Cox was allowed to take him to Mansfield at the beginning of last season. Again he was used as an impact player with 1 goal in 5 starts and just 531 minutes to impress, with 9 short cameos from the bench. If Simmo can work his magic with this lad we will see goals,goals, goals and £s£s£s when he finally  delivers on the undoubted talent he has.

Mansfield 2012/13 stats 

Sq no	Player	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots off	Shots on	Assists	YC	RC
27	Nick Wright	5	14	531	1	7	5	3	1	0

Kidderminster 2011/12 stats 

Sq no	Player	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots off	Shots on	Assists	YC	RC
27	Nick Wright	23	20	2330	15	21	35	3	1	0

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Nicholas Wright
DATE OF BIRTH	25 November 1987 (age 25)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Birmingham, England
HEIGHT/WEIGHT	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 11st 9 (75 kg)
PLAYING POSITION	Striker / winger
CLUB
CURRENT CLUB	Free agent
NUMBER	n/a
YOUTH CAREER
2001-2005	Birmingham City
SENIOR STATS
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	Birmingham City	0	(0)
2006	Tamworth (loan)	3	(0)
2006	Bristol City (loan)	5	(0)
2006	Northampton Town (loan)	4	(0)
2007	Ashford Town (loan)
2007	Halesowen Town (loan)
2007–2010	Tamworth	79	(27)
2010–2012	Kidderminster Harriers	82	(23)
2012–	Mansfield Town	17	(1)
NATIONAL TEAM
2008–	England C	1	(0)

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9 Danny Rowe

A CV that includes Manchester United, Preston North End, Fleetwood Town, Stockport County and Barrow FC.  One game in the 23 year old –hat trick on his debut – landmark signing is already an Imp No 9 to be proud of.  For Danny,  this deal is a chance to ram those promising youth comments down the throats of those who wanted him to develop gently and Simmo will give him every bit of help he can to follow in the footsteps of his other million pound plus finds. David Moyes never wanted him to leave…. well you know where he is… and any decent bid wouldbe considered.

Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs.

Yes Manchester United incredibly agreed up to £136,000 with Preston North End for Danny at just 12 years old .Fleetwood Town also paid good money for the 23 year-old who can play in an attacking midfield, wing or central striking role.  Before we get to his  bio, pour yourself a Pimms crack open a can and let us recount a craftsman, soon to be crowned a Lincolnshire poacher………….

It was an explosive opening from new Lincoln number 9 Danny Rowe as he opened his account just four minutes in.  Sheridan exchanged with Power before galloping down the right to whip over a low cross, Rowe raced on and cracked home from a dozen yards with the inside of his foot. Rowe is almost impossible to pick up and his fitness, despite the intense heat, made him harder contain as the game went on and both the goals to complete his heavenly hat-trick would come from distance. The first was a jaw-dropping hay-maker, full on the volley from 20 yards. The second saw him take a touch, look up and then curl a crisp cultured effort perfectly inside the post.

Manchester United & Preston £136k tug of war

Danny became the star of the Manchester United U13 side, scoring for fun in the FA Premier Academy League. Preston were not best pleased as they had developed him from the age of six only to lose him at 12, when United offered him a 4 year deal (lads can’t properly join the payroll until 16).  It went to tribunal with staggered payments agreed. The payments were to be £8,000 up front, £8,000 if Daniel signined a scholarship, £20,000 when he turned pro and £100,000 after 10 first-team appearances. Preston had argued that he would have been worth a million if he had gone through their system and then been sold. It might have been the best option for a lad who was swamped at United despite the teenage promise.

Kendal Town took him on and after an impressive first half to the season he was sold to Fleetwood with Nathan Pond coming on loan the other way.  Danny was sent out on loan to gain experience in the first half of the 2011/12 season, becoming the BSN player of the month in November, a month that saw him bang in 7 goals.  Danny got 12 for the bloods in his short stay and caught Stockport’s eye hammering in another 8 including a brace against the Imps when County trounced us 4-0 in April 2012.

Danny spent the first half of last season on loan at Stockport, a side in meltdown on and off the pitch, playing in a variety of positions, mainly from the bench to the frustration of the Edgeley faithful.  He got one goal and laid on 3 in just 612 sporadic minutes of football. Fleetwood then sent him on a half season loan to Barrow in January.  Danny was an inspiration at the relegation haunted Bluebirds who almost escaped the drop. He scored 4 and was credited with 3 assists, although his all round contribution led to far more (he played with namesake Danny Rowe at Barrow confusing the life out of the stattos).

Raid the bookies Imps. This lad will be the first player since Yeo (bow thrice) to bag 20 goals. He has it all. He has the touch and brain of Jamie Taylor. He is a playmaker, who can turn a game either as an attacking central midfielder or left-winger. At 6′ 1″ he can play as a target man or support striker.  His signing should worry Power, who has still to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Welcome Danny, with assist king Sean Newton also aboard Sincil salivates……………….

Danny’s Stockport Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
10	Danny Rowe	5	9	612	1	n/a	3	n/a	n/a	0	0

Danny’s Barrow Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
30	Danny Rowe	15	2	1652	4	n/a	3	n/a	n/a	1	0

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Danny Lucas Rowe
DATE OF BIRTH	29 January 1990 (age 23)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Blackpool,
HEIGHT	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
WEIGHT	84Kg (13 st 2 lb)
POSITION: LW/AMC / CF
CURRENT CLUB	Lincoln City
NUMBER	11
YOUTH CAREER
1996–2008	Preston /Manchester United
SENIOR CAREER
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2010	Kendal Town	14	(11)
2010-13	Fleetwood	7	(0)
2011	Droylesdon (loan)	12	(12)
2013	Stockport County (loan x 2)	22	(9)
2013	Barrow (loan)	17	(4)

8 Alan Power

We are going to see what Nottingham Forest, Hartlepool United and Ireland U21’s saw from Captain Alan Power this season.  His goal at Lincoln United illustrates his desire to lead from the front, but it is the condition he is in that is most inspiring to fans as well the Sincil Six foot soldiers who only appear to be towering above him from a heigh perspective.

When Forest and Hartlepool offered him two year deals they felt he would kick on. Indeed during his time at Forest he became reserve captain and was a highly regarded, busy, scheming, tenacious lad, who not only graduated with sufficient honours to earn a two year pro-deal, but also played for the Ireland youth set-up through to the under 21′s.  As a 19 year-old Alan made one first team appearance for Forest against the Posh in  (2007)  in the FL trophy.

He was then loaned to Grays, then a BSP club, but,  after his contract at Forest ran down, The Monkey-hangers of  Hartlepool stepped in and offered him a two year deal. He made just 8 non-appearance, unable to break into the first 11, before going to Rushden. He was reborn, albeit at a struggling club, with the Imps stepping in, just in time, at the end of the season. Ditto Lincoln until Mills finally got the boot to give him the responsibility it appears to have needed to kick-start his energy and talent.

He signed a new two year deal at The Imps and cannot wait to add to last season’s 6 assists and 11 goals – those stats are not too shabby (in a struggling side to boot) are they? At times you feel he has the ability to run the show, to bob and weave and find that killer pass. Despite an injury leading up to Christmas he came back strong and struck the penalty that saved our skins at home to the Lambs. Arguably his assured penalties won him the player of the season award, but he certainly deserved a new two year deal.

It took him a while to sign it and in reality he will have to be at his best if he is to get ahead of Nolan and Rowe in the central midfield pecking order.  Competition is not a bad thing for the club, but let us hope it does not weigh too heavily, on a true Sincil free spirit. But so often, games and midfield battles can pass him by. Perhaps it was the off-field turmoil and morale sapping  defeats endured by a side who genuinely expected to fair much better; that saw most of the side disappear into their shells for large periods, before Simmo’s galvanising arrival.

Power’s 2012/13 Stats

Sq No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
5	Alan Power	38	3	3346	11	77	6	46	44	5	0

Power’s 2011/12 Stats

Sq no	Name	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Shots on	Assists	YC	RC
8	Alan Power	40	0	3579	4	33	16	4	7	1

8 Alan Power

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Alan Thomas Daniel Power
DATE OF BIRTH	23 January 1988 (age 25)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Dublin, Ireland
HEIGHT/WEIGHT	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)/11st 4lb (71.66kg)
PLAYING POSITION	Midfielder
CONTRACT: TWO YEAR DEAL TO JUNE 2015
CURRENT CLUB	Lincoln City
NUMBER	8
YOUTH CAREER
	Nottingham Forest
SENIOR STATS (LGE & CUP)
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2008	Nottingham Forest	1	(0)
2007–2008	Grays Athletic (loan)	6	(2)
2008–2010	Hartlepool United	8	(0)
2010–2011	Rushden & Diamonds	42	(3)
2011–	Lincoln City	83	(15)

7 Wade Fairhurst

The Imps capture of former Doncaster Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Southend United, Hereford United and Macclesfield Town striker Waide Fairhurst is remarkable both for his talent and the fact that he opted to rejoin Simmo at well below the deal offered by another BSP club.

 thanks for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs.

 

Wade is coming here to score goals and he will be lethal in either an advanced central midfield or poacher striking role.  His technique  is a cut above, his instincts are inspirational, why if he had a little more pace he would be a championship player and no mistake.  If Rowe and Newton can supply the service, he and Nick Wright could even eclipse the partnership we saw from Forrester and Stallard in Schofield’s side of 2006/7.

A prolific youth striker for Doncaster Rovers  Wade scored two goals in two starts after signing his first pro deal. It was hard for the youngster to break into the Rovers first 11 during his three year deal, which showed faith in itself. His debut came against Coventry, with Doncaster enjoying a phase in the Championship following a meteoric rise, playing it has to be said, some princely passing football. Wade provided an assist against Palace, then scored against WBA and Ipswich.

With chances few and far between in the Championship, Waide went on loan to Shrewsbury, in October 2009, grabbing 4 goals in 10 appearances. Alas he was forced to cut the loan short and returned to Rovers in the  December thanks to injury.  After 6 weeks out with a broken toes he got two goalless opportunities against WBA and Ipswich. The following season Southend took him for a month before Hereford stepped in during Feb 2010. He bagged a brace on his debut against Cheltenham, scored two games later in the 1-1 draw with Northampton, before failing to find the net in a further dozen games in a struggling side.

Simmo signed him for Macc and it is fair to say he began to blossom after Gary left. Last season Waide hit 13 goals in 43 games for the Silkmen, including braces against Woking and Braintree. He is not the tallest, but he has a competitive streak about him. He has a good touch and the look of a young Jamie Taylor about him. His first touch is championship level and his predatory instincts first class. He got two thirds of 79 shots on target last season, adding 3 assists to his decent 13 goal tally.

This signing is another example of the craft Simmo has learned from Keith Alexander. He waited patiently as the clock clicked passed his 24th birthday on May 7th. This allowed teams to sign him for free as soon as the two-year deal he signed in 2011, came to an end in June. However, Maccs financial state ahead of a planned takeover(there are rumours of late payments to players), allowed his former gaffer to sign him.

Welcome aboard Waide,

Waides Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
20	Waide Fairhurst	31	12	2458	13	79	3	15	32	5	0

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Waide Simon Fairhurst
DATE OF BIRTH	7 May 1989 (age 24)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Sheffield, England
HEIGHT	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 11 st (69.84kg)
PLAYING POSITION	Striker
CONTRACT: ONE YEAR (PLUS OPTION)
CURRENT CLUB	Lincoln City
SENIOR CAREER
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2011	Doncaster Rovers	10	(2)
2009	Solihull Moors (loan)	5	(2)
2009–2010	Shrewsbury Town (loan)	10	(4)
2010	Southend United (loan)	3	(0)
2011	Hereford United (loan)	16	(3)
2011–2013	Macclesfield Town	61	(13)
2013–	Lincoln City	0	(0)

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6 Mamadou Fofana

Mamadou Fofana has come back stronger this summer and is eager to prove he is worth a new one year deal.  The more than capable defensive midfielder knows his job is to guard the defence and allow the three advanced midfielders to pillage the opposition safe in the knowledge that he and Todd Jordan will be there to cover any counters.

thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

Mamadou impressed during pre-season trials last season and earned enough for a short-term deal that was extended, in the January, to the end of the season. He is a competitive lad who will battle for the side and has become an unsung hero. He can also play centre-back and will be looking to become more involved in set pieces in the opposition box.  He did that well for his one and only goal last season against Hyde.

Mamadou certainly gets stuck in, but his tackling is measured and clean, given he only received 6 yellows, of which 3 ‘were taken for the team’ as KA comically used to refer.   He is a big strong lad, with a telescopic tackle not unlike Arsenal’s Patrick Vierra in his younger days. Mamadou would be the first to admit he is not at that level yet, but then his attitude and aptitude to learning is first rate. Thus Simmo can work with this lad and hopefully the unsung hero will get a bit more of the limelight as he goes from strength to strength next season.

Mamadou’s Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
37	Mamadou Fofana	29	2	2140	1	11	0	28	23	6	0

 

Mamadou Fofana

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Mamadou Fofana
DATE OF BIRTH	7 January 1988 (age 25)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Sarcelles, France
HEIGHT	6 ft 1 in (1.81 m)
WEIGHT	12st 4lbs (78.2kg)
POSITION: CD / DM / CM
CURRENT CLUB	Lincoln City / 1 year deal
NUMBER	37
YOUTH CAREER
	Sarcelles
SENIOR STATS
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2013	Lincoln City	31	(2)

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5 Andrew Boyce

We had to sweat on former Doncaster Rovers defender Boycey as he played the field with Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town and Chesterfield FC said to be interested. Whether it was the alleged £50,000 transfer fee or agent talk, we were pleased to see him put pen to paper on a new two year deal.

thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

The sticking point was the duration of the new deal. In a nutshell Lincoln wanted a two year deal so that the club can at least try to get a return on their investment. That outlay is perceived two-fold; in the forms of a £12,500 to Gainsborough, as well as the coaching staff believing they can improve a young but still raw player further. With Andrew 24 this November,  a one year deal the player would have meant that he could walk for free.

And what a talent we would lose. Brave, strong, with a none-shall-pass attitude that provides a presence in either box.  Boyce is the beast of the Bank personified but he has calmed since those Gainsborough days when he would not have got into a holy trinity as opposed to the footballing version. Andrew certainly grew alongside Nat Brown last season and will continue to improve under Simmo and Grant Brown’s guidance.  He will certainly do well for a settled season, after the Holdsworth era and seeing Kings Lynn implode after his Doncaster rejection.

Handy Andy sometimes stood alone last season as our central midfield quartet were regularly routed only to see him nip countless opportunities for with a last ditch challenge. He also notched four goals and created two for others as his mellowing but still charming approach to collateral damage scattered the chickens in the opposing box.

STMI christened Boycie the Beast of The Bank when he arrived. But he is now more than that. Already a hero, his never say die attitude will blossom next term, indeed, give it another half season, or so,to round off those rough edges and Boyce may well be plying his trade in League 1 sooner rather than later.

STMI Biopic

Sq No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
5	Andrew Boyce	45	0	3999	4	44	2	49	37	10	0

Boyce’s Backissues
Date of Birth	05/11/1989 (age 23)
Height	6′ 3″
Weight	12st 9lbs
Youth career	Doncaster Rovers
Former Clubs	Kings Lynn Gainsborough

4 Todd Jordan (Utility – LB,CB, CM,LM)

 

No	Name	St	Sub	Mins	G	On	Miss	Ass	Fs	F,d	Yell	Red
4	Jordan	11	1	873	0	1	2	1	11	11	2	0

Ratings	G	Tot	Ave
Jordan	12	93	7.8	7	8	8	8	8	7	7		9	8

MOMS
Jordan	1

thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

Sheffield Wednesday youth Todd Jordan awakens, perhaps in slightly older Imps, comparisons with a young Richard Butcher. Butch remember, never got a deal at Northampton Town, for alas, like Todd, he failed to make the grade at youth level. Both have had to drop to carve their way into the game and both have the determination and boundless energy to just keep going.   Jordan had an emerging box-to-box style last year that endeared him to Lincoln fans as he turned a non-contract paid as you are played deal into a one year deal this summer. After that 25-yard wonder goal the shouts of “shoot” will certainly never be far away – and if he can repeat that 8-12 times a season, as Butch did, his dream will certainly be back on. 

Todd, is determined to make his way in the game after coming up short at his boyhood heroes. After failing to earn a first year pro deal at Hillsborough he went to work in a factory just like Butch, playing part-time for Worsborough.  Simmo got to hear of him, had a quick look and then recommended him to Parkgate in the North East Premier League. Although employed at centre-half, his cross-field balls and charges through the middle  suggested he could play as a central midfield player. He has the attributes, standing 6′ 3″ with good strength and a decent range of passing, as well as an eye for a shot.

Todd will hopefully be the better for a good pre-season fitness regime, as this will determine whether he has the engine to go box-to-box for 90 minutes. It would be unfair to judge him on last season as the step-up and fitness did tell after 12 warrior-like performances. If it does we could have another Butch on our hands, if not he will still be useful as a defensive midfielder, centre-half or natural-footed left back.

Simmo was right to take a gamble on a lad he felt had the ability to step up.  He saw that in Butch, despite that 4-0 hammering for Kettering at Halifax back in October 2001.  Richard ran up and down throughout the game despite little chance to affect the outcome in the Poppies’. Fans do miss the defensive, shadowing and shutting down element to a midfielder’s game.  Let us hope the Lincoln fans give Todd the same understanding they did Richard, even when he did not bang them in on a regular basis. Because this lad has the heart and a decent shot on him if he gets the chance. It is too early to judge the two players too closely, but the early signs suggest similarities. But only Todd can prove the hunger and the ability this term.

He certainly started well, coming on for the last 5 minutes away at Macc, then making an impressive full debut at home to Wrexham. We would lose the game 2-1 but his contribution was at the heart of a resurgent Imps performance that deserved better than the scoreline suggested, against the then top dogs of the BSP.  His brilliant 25 yard curler against Telford, illustrates his versatility and desire to go box-to-box. He is a defensive midfielder by trade, but he has also filled in at left back, with a good eye for a long-range pass. Our resources will need willing bodies to realise our play-off dreams. Todd can deliver and decent left-footers are oh so hard to find.

Todd really looked shattered during the Tamworth game and was withdrawn, making just a 90th minute appearance in the 5-1 rout of Hyde.  Clearly moving up to full time had taken its toll, but he will be all the better for a full pre-season fitness training programme. But Todd still deserved his chance at a full-time career in the game, for he has shown he will wear the stripes with pride and earn the right to be one our Six-foot Soldiers in 2013/14.  Incredibly when Butch took the gamble at Kettering he was on just £230 a week, sixty quid up on The £170 Rushden had paid him – but he kept the faith and the money and the fame came.

Sq No	Name	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
4	Todd Jordan	10	2	836	1	9	0	13	6	2	0

Full Name	Todd Jordan
Date of Birth	4th Dec 1991	Age	21
Place of Birth	Sheffield
Height	6′ 3″
Weight	12 st 6lb
	Youth Career
2005-2009	Sheffield Wednesday
	Senior Career
Club	Lincoln City	SQ	04
Contract	1 year
Pos	Def/Mid
Year	Club	Aps	Gls
2010  -2012	Worsborough	20	3
2012 – 2013	Parkgate FC	25	3
2013 – 2013	Staveley MW	5	0
2013 – 2013	Shirebrook	1	0
2013 –	Lincoln City	12	1

3 Sean Newton (Left Back)

 

No	Name	Start	Sub	Mins	G	On	Miss	Assist	Fouls	F’d	Yell	Red
3	Newton	19	0	1692	0	8	8	7	16	6	4	0

Player	Games	Total	Ave
Newton	19	156	8.2	9	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8

MOMS
Newton	4

Thanks for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

Stockport County, Chester City, Barrow FC  and AFC Telford left-back Sean Newton will provide Lincoln with more assists than the basket carrier at the Tower of London, during the height of Henry VIII’s cunning Reformation fundraising ruse. This peaceable piece-rate loving fellow – who just about scrapes in to Simmo’s minimum defensive height criteria at 6′ 2″ – is as brilliant as he is ebullient with a left peg prized from the lap of the gods. Perhaps even poetry in motion?

Newton is a fans favourite wherever he goes, our new Stuart Bimson, if you will. He can bring the foe to their knees and please the Sincil faithful, prising them off their pews, to ‘arghs and oohs’ as he ransacks the whites, the greens the reds, the Cods and the blues.  A veritable Newton’s cradle of energy, the busy bee gets up and down faster than a brides nightie. He is no slow-coach, dispensing justice to any encroacher who would have the audacity to  imitate a Lincolnshire poacher.

Welcome Sean Sincil salivates………………

In all seriousness and painkillers aside Sean at 24 is still coming into his peak, but what a talent going forward, the purists left back and no mistake. Now in the right side and with the right manager the shop window beckons for a player who will undoubtedly play higher in the football League.  His free-kicks will make us swoon, and he certainly gets some goals for a full-back , 6 last season as well as netting 12 in 109 outings for Telford, then under 21 and still waiting for his key to the door, he got an England C call, playing twice and scoring the once.  Stockport asked for a try before we buy loan, loved him and made him a permanent fixture last summer.

It was ambition that saw him come to us and not money. The Hatters were paying him more and wanted to keep him. Three League clubs had thrown him tentative offers of a pre-season trial but Simmo got their with first with a firm offer. The manager, the club and the potential just clicked making it impossible to turn us down.

An inspirational lad, on and off the pitch, Sean confortably qualifuies as a six-foot soldier given he is a full-back.  A look at the facts and stats below shows Sean scored 6 goals and laid on 6 official assists (he had a deal going where he was allegedly paid a bonus for 16 of them), firing off 49 shots from a left-foot long- nine cannon.  His tackling and shadowing are first rate, with just two yellow cards in his 44 appearances last term. The infectious lad will help to build TEAM LINCOLN morale no end.  He will give as good as he gets and prove to be one of the leaders we will need all over the park this season

Welcome Sean Sincil salivates………………

Sean Newton’s Stockport Stats 2012/13

No	NAME	Starts	Sub	Mins	Goals	Shots	Assists	Fouls	Fouled	YC	RC
3	Sean Newton	43	1	3877	6	49	6	41	23	2	0

STMI BIOPIC
FULL NAME	Sean Michael Newton
DATE OF BIRTH	23 September 1988 (age 24)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Liverpool,
HEIGHT	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
WEIGHT	87Kg (13 st 6 lb)
POSITION: LEFT BACK
CURRENT CLUB	Lincoln City
NUMBER	3
YOUTH CAREER
2005–2007	Chester City
SENIOR CAREER
YEARS	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2008	Chester City	2	(0)
2007	Southport (loan)	13	(1)
2008	Droylsden (loan)	15	(1)
2008–2009	Droylsden	35	(5)
2009	Barrow	4	(0)
2009–2012	AFC Telford United	109	(12)
2012	Stockport County (loan)	7	(1)
2012–	Stockport County	43	(6)
NATIONAL TEAM
2009–	England C	2	(1)