If you had to pick your greatest City side you’ve ever seen, who would you pick? To kick things off, I’ve started with my favourite all-time Imps XI…
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Goalkeeper ? Dave Felgate
The earlier keeper I can remember seeing play for City is Peter Grotier in the late 70s, but the one to make the first real impression on me was Felgate, and he has to go down as the best custodian I?ve seen in a Lincoln jersey. A Welsh international, if only for one game, Felgate was the epitomy of calmness between the sticks and you always got the impression he was never going to beaten.
Also worth a mention: Alan Marriott, Matt Dickins
Right-back ? Dean West
A close one this between West, in his first spell at the club, and Paul Casey. But I?ve given the nod to West as he weighed in with his fare share of goals as well. A typically rampaging full-back, it came as no surprise to see him play at a higher level and he was a player who never gave less than 100 per cent.
Also worth a mention: Paul Casey, Clive Evans
Left-back ? John Whitney
A free transfer signing from Huddersfield, Whitney was as hard as nails and a real presence in the left-back berth. Thunderous in the challenge, he was our very own Stuart Pearce and he gave opposition wingers a torrid time. He really prospered at Sincil Bank, but it was a shame when he left as I felt we got rid of him too quickly.
Also worth a mention: Stuart Hibberd, Alan Johnson
Centre-back ? Trevor Peake
A real class act in a very good City side of the late 70s./early 80s and not surprisingly ended up playing in the top flight for both Coventry and Luton. Is surely one of City’s greatest ever players and even back then when I was a nipper, I could see he had immense presence an ability.
Centre-back ? Tony James
Only played around 30 games for the Imps, but what a player! The Imps paid Gainsborough £20,000 in the summer of 1998 for the giant defender with a horrendous, Lionel Ritchie perm, and sold him for for a 750 per cent profit just a year later. City have had plenty of fine central defenders over the years, but James was head and shoulders above most of them. It’s only a pity City cashed in so quickly on him.
Also worth a mention: Steve Holmes, Gary Strodder
Midfield ? Graham Bressington
Man-mountain Bressington spent five years at the Bank from 1988 to 1993 and it would be hard to find any fans who remember him who would have a bad word to say about him. Totally commited and as tough as they come, one incident still lives long in the memory. Against Southend one Saturday afternoon, he was crunched by two Shrimpers midfielders, resulting in all three players going to ground. Up got ‘victim’ Bressington who casually strode off, but the two ‘perpetrators’ were left prostate on the ground. Your typical no-nonsense footballer, he would often be seen with a fag on, but an absolute hero for most fans.
Midfield ? George Shipley
Another player from that great side of the late 70s/early 80s to figure in my greatest ever line-up. One of those flying winger types, Shipley enjoyed six great years with the Imps and showed how important he was to the side by knocking in 51 goals in 271 games before going off to, Charlton ? a sad day in my life when the news was announced. Only Gareth Ainsworth has equalled for midfield attacking quality Ships in my eyes over the last 20 years.
Midfield ? Gareth Ainsworth
His career was going nowhere when then boss John Beck signed him from Preston for £25,,000 in 1995 and was one of the best cheques ever written by the club. Scored a career-best 24 goals in the 1996./97 season and was then flogged for half-a-million quid to Port Vale ? and safe to say Lincoln were never the same without him. No played ever epitomised a never-say-die attitude more than Ainsworth and a true legend.
Midfield ? Glenn Cockerill
The fourth player from the late 70s/early 80s era, Cockerill was just sublime in the centre of the park, showing a wide arrange of passing skills, a brilliant touch and a keen eye for goal. Yet another player from that side to go on to greater things and starred for Southampton in the top flight later in his career. A true great in the red and white stripes.
Also worth a mention: David Puttnam, John McGinley, Peter Gain, Phil Turner
Striker ? Tony Lormor
Not one of City’s greatest ever strikers, but one who I idolised for his 100 per cent effort and for the fact he always clapped the fans whether City won or lost. A return of 30 goals from 90 League starts was pretty good for its time, but was yet another player who City got rid off prematurely ? he got injured and the club thought he would then never be as good so got rid, but then went on to play for a host of other clubs over the next 10 years. Will always be one of my favourite ever City players.
Striker ? Mick Harford
Completing a nap hand from Colin Murphy’s side first time round, Harford was your typically big targetman, but with a tremendous eye for goal. He scored 46 goals in 126 games for City before sealing a big money nove to Newcastle. I can always remember, though, my dad constantly slagging him off, saying things like: “Just look at him, standing on the halfway with his hands on hips doin’ nowt… again.” He eventually proved my dad wrong, although he was loathe to admit it! Amazing to think that this gangly kid I watched on the terraces in the late 70s is now nearly 50 years old!!
Also worth a mention: Gordon Hobson, Tony Cunningham, Simon Yeo
