Rob’s Column – July 2024

with thanks to the Lincolnshire Echo.

Whilst it’s still the EFL close season, we can now say with great enthusiasm that the Imps will soon be in action. This month in fact. Their first friendly is on Friday 12th against Preston North End. However it takes place in Spain, and it’s early August before we’ll be at the LNER stadium for a home fixture, with Arsenal U21s coming to town. That’s only less than a month away though.  
The club figured very highly in the EFL Family Excellence Awards coming top in League One and third overall. Our Trust gang like to think we contributed to that a little bit by what we provide on a match-day in the Fan Village.
Since we opened our very professional RICT Pod at the start of the year we’ve had much more opportunity to put on things that both help and entertain Imps fans. The marquee we had was OK but trapping your fingers during its erection and holding it down in high winds were risks we could do without. Our new base is now kitted out inside with display shelving and a counter, with the electrics we need being installed next. As such we can now do even more in the hours leading up to a home fixture.
We have a heritage remit that’s up to now included our online museum and the installation of plaques to recognise iconic Lincoln City landmarks. 
Starting with the Gunners game we’ll have a new initiative – a mini-exhibition in the pod – this time featuring the great man Keith Alexander. There’ll be a number interesting items on show all relating to Keith and his time here. This will be available for the first few home games so come and have a look. Further interesting features like this will be put on throughout the season. 
Fan engagement is a golden thread running through all that our Trust does, and our Fan Village actions are a part of that. You can meet the people that take your views direct into the club itself, there’s freebie items for younger supporters, collectible programmes are available to browse through, we run competitions with decent prizes, you can join the Trust if you haven’t already, and there’s much more. 
And to let you into a secret….we do all this because it’s good fun. What better before the contest kicks off than banter, talking about all things Lincoln City, and friends meeting up. 
When the new season starts come along to the Fan Village for a beer and a burger and bring them to the Trust Pod to see us and what we have to offer. You’ll be very welcome.