I tried not to cry on Monday. I really did. Twice Lincoln City have made me cry now… promotion from League Two and those scenes on Monday away at Reading, as we beat the Royals 2-1 to win promotion from League One to the Championship.
It was the elation from the substitutes and the management team at the final whistle that made me so emotional. It just hit me as it did many other Imps fans.
All of us Lincoln City supporters are in dreamland and on cloud nine, as you’d expect, and it will be the same for the players, who are probably still riding the wave of their success.
We’re all embracing this and why shouldn’t we? Just 10 years ago we were in the National League, and now we’re going to the second tier for the first time since the 1960s! Wow! Even writing that I’ve welled up again! This club does things to you!
We went into the game needing just a point but still that little bit of doubt was there, until early on when Ryan Oné nodded in Reeco Hackett’s free kick.
The match was then scrappy for most of the tie as both teams fought for every ball. Then in added time, Lewis Wing scores a remarkable free kick for Leam Richardson’s men, and fair play, it’s a brilliant goal!
We thought we were heading for a draw until fate played its part, with Conor McGrandles doing a turn similar to that of Adam Marriott in our FA Cup win against Ipswich Town in that season we went to the quarter-finals.
McGrandles played it through for Jack Moylan to smash home the winner and cue scenes that are indescribable. Marriott’s ball for Nathan Arnold is just as good during that infamous run. Fate has a funny way of showing up.
The Imps will now be going for the title and are 12 points clear of second-placed Cardiff City, who have somewhat stumbled recently, whilst we’ve gone on a 24-game unbeaten run in the league.
That 3-2 loss in the final moments of the game against Wycombe Wanderers seems a long time ago now.
This season has just been an absolute dream for Skubala, the players and the Imps fans, myself included. From George Wickens and his 17 clean sheets (so far) to the whole team contributing with goals.
We don’t have a 20-goal-a-season forward but we do have Reeco Hackett and Jack Moylan both on 10 for the season. Even more impressive when you remember that Moylan had a serious injury earlier in the season and had a three-month layoff.
The back four have been remarkable as well. So tough to break down, Tendayi Darikwa has the energy of a player ten years younger than himself. Sonny Bradley is a brick wall, as is Tom Hamer who also has a long throw to rival anybody. He’s clearly watched prime Rory Delap.
Then we have Adam Reach… how was he without a club last summer?! Genuinely baffles me how nobody picked him up. That’s before adding Ryley Towler, Adam Jackson, Josh Honohan, who is yet to make his debut after joining in January, and Deji Elerewe.
The midfield is sensational with Ivan Varfolomeev and his energy, alongside the experience of both Tom Bayliss and Conor McGrandles. The trio often fill those roles, although others have stepped in when needed, showing the utility of the squad.
Our forwards, where do I begin? Hackett, Moylan, Ben House, Rob Street, Dom Jefferies, Erik Ring, Ryan Oné, James Collins, Alfie Lloyd and Freddie Draper have all been sensational and have all contributed to our success. Even Justin Obikwu played his part at the beginning of the season before returning to Coventry City just after Christmas.
We are now looking at closing out the season and getting the maximum points that we can in our final games against Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Doncaster Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers.
Our season finishes on the final day with a trip to Port Vale, who may very well be relegated by the time we rock up at Vale Park.
Massive congratulations has to be given to Danny and Nicky Cowley, Michael Skubala, Jez George, Liam Scully, Tom Shaw, Chris Cohen, Clive Nates, Ron Fowler and all the other staff and management at the club who work tirelessly day in day out.
No doubt we will keep the core of this squad with several contract extensions already announced by the club, but we will also need some astute signings for the second tier as it won’t be easy at all next season. We are under no illusions about that.
One thing is for sure as well as keeping the players, the management team will need to be kept hold of as well, and this run of form will have alerted other clubs to their talents.
It would take a big compensation package to even think about them being prized away from Sincil Bank.
Can somebody pinch me now please? This feels like a dream!
We are going up! Let’s just enjoy the ride, whatever happens!
