Lincoln City

Odds: 25/1

Last Five Seasons

2005/06 – 7 (League Two), 2004/05 – 6 (League Two), 2003/04 – 7 (League Two), 2002/03 – 6 (League Two), 2001/02 – 22 (League Two).

2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup First Round (replay) vs MK Dons (a) – lost 2-1

Carling Cup Second Round vs Fulham (a) – lost 5-4 after extra time.

Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Tranmere Rovers (a) – lost 2-1

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Marvin Robinson (striker) – 11 goals.

Players In

Jamie Forrester (Bristol Rovers – Free), Adie Moses (Crewe Alexandra – Free), Mark Stallard (Shrewsbury Town – Free).

Players Out

Gareth McAuley (Leicester City – Free), Jamie McCombe (Bristol City – Free), Marvin Robinson (Macclesfield Town – Free), Jude Stirling (Peterborough United – Free), Francis Green (Boston United – Free), Matt Bloomer (Cambridge United – Free).

After four years of play-off heartache, this time against Grimsby Town in the semi final, manager Keith Alexander announced he had taken the Imps as far as he could and took over the vacant job at Peterborough United.

Woking boss Glenn Cockerill was linked with the available manager’s role at Sincil Bank but the club named John Schofield as their new head coach to work alongside the new director of football John Deehan. Schofield was the former first team coach at the club and had been in temporary charge following Alexander’s departure while Deehan left his position as Northampton Town’s director of football to take up the post with the Imps.

Both will have a tough job on their hands after losing three key players over the summer. Defensive midfield duo Gareth McAuley left for Leicester City while Jamie McCombe joined Bristol City, both on free transfers. Last season’s top goal scorer Marvin Robinson also departed on a free transfer and joined Macclesfield Town.

Cult striker Simon Yeo, who returned from a spell in New Zealand in January also decided to leave the club after revealing he couldn’t afford to take a wage cut. Yeo scored 51 goals in 157 appearances during his two spells at the club and featured in each of their four unsuccessful play-off campaigns during the last four seasons.

The new management team have had some positive news in that striker Jamie Forrester who scored five goals in nine appearances on loan last season has signed a permanent deal while Gary Birch has agreed a new one-year contract.

Verdict

After four seasons of going close, Lincoln City fans may find it a shock next season if the club do not make the play-offs. It all depends on whether new manager John Schofield can emulate the near-success of predecessor Keith Alexander.

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