with thanks to Donald Nannestad

The FPA hosts for tomorrow’s game against West Ham United are Gavin Gordon and Matt Carmichael.

The guests are Peter Grotier, Gordon Simmonite, Lee Philpott and Dennis Leigh.

Their details are here:

Gavin Gordon

Gavin Gordon was a striker who made his senior debut for Hull City just two months after his 16^th birthday and went on to make regular first team appearances for the Tigers before he was sold to the Imps in November 1997 when he was still just 18 years old. In his first season he helped City win promotion and was a first team regular. In 2000-01 he scored 10 goals by early December and was the sold to Cardiff City for a six-figure fee. He later played for Notts County. Gavin is chairman of the Former Players Association. 
Debut vs Swansea City, away 8 November 1997
Lincoln City Record:
Football League: 87 appearances plus 12 as substitute, 28 goals
FA Cup: 9 appearances, 2 goals
Football League Cup: 2 appearances, 1 goal
Other: 4 appearances plus 1 as substitute

Matt Carmichael

Matt Carmichael was signed by Colin Murphy in August 1989. At the time he was planning to join the Met Police after having previously served in the British Army but Colin offered him a professional contract and his career changed track. He was initially used as a striker and scored on his debut against Scunthorpe United but later converted to centre back. He was voted the supporters player of the season in 1991-92 and made over 150 first team appearances before moving on to Scunthorpe in July 1993. Matt later played for Preston, Mansfield, Doncaster and Darlington. Matt is vice chairman of the Former Players Association.

Debut vs Scunthorpe, home 19 August 1989

Lincoln City Record

Football League: 113 appearances plus 20 as substitute, 18 goals

FA Cup: 4 appearances plus 1 as substitute

Football League Cup: 9 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 1 goalOther: 7 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 2 goals

Peter Grotier

Peter Grotier was a goalkeeper who began his career West Ham United making his first team debut against Spurs as an 18 year old. He made 54 League and Cup appearances for the Hammers before moving to Sincil Bank in August 1974 taking over the keeper’s shirt from John Kennedy who departed at the end of the 1973-74 season. It was initially a loan move but was quickly made permanent with the Imps’ supporters contributing towards what was then a club record transfer fee of £16,666. After making his debut against Chester Peter went on to play in 134 consecutive Football League games for the Imps. He played in all 46 games of the 1975-76 season when the Imps not only won the Fourth Division title but set a number of records in doing so. He was voted Player of the Season in 1977-78 and remained at Sincil Bank until February 1980. Peter later played for Cardiff and Grimsby. Peter is the only goalkeeper to have scored for the Imps in a competitive game netting three times from the penalty spot in Lincolnshire Cup games and also successfully taking a spot kick when City lost in a penalty shoot-out to Doncaster in a League Cup tie in 1976.

Debut vs. Chester, home 17 August 1974

Lincoln City Record:
Football League: 233 appearances

FA Cup: 14 appearances

Football League Cup: 16 appearances

Gordon Simmonite

Gordon Simmonite was a defender whose career began as an apprentice with Rotherham United before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 1975. He made his Football League debut for the Owls and later joined Boston United before returning to the Football League with Blackpool. He signed for City in November 1982 and featured regularly in the first team until suffering a serious ankle injury. He later joined Stockport County as assistant manager before returning to City as a player on Boxing Day 1987 when the Imps, by then playing in the Vauxhall Conference, won at Boston United. Gordon proved a steadying influence for City in the second half of the season which culminated in promotion back to the Football League. At the end of the season, he moved on to play for Gainsborough Trinity.

Debut vs Millwall, home 4 December 1982

Lincoln City Record:

Football League: 71 appearances plus 1 as substitute

FA Cup: 2 appearances

Football League Cup: 6 appearances

Vauxhall Conference: 13 appearances

Lee Philpott

Lee Philpott was a wide midfield player who began his career at Peterborough United before joining Cambridge in 1989. He helped the U’s to two successive promotions and the club twice reached the FA Cup quarter-finals during his time with them. Lee went on to play for Leicester City and Blackpool before joining Lincoln in the summer of 1998.He spent two seasons with the Imps before moving on to Hull City.Debut vs Bradford City, home 18 August 1998 as substitute
Lincoln City Record:

Football League 33 appearances plus 14 as substitute, 3 goals

FA Cup: 1 appearance plus 2 as substitute

Football League Cup: 1 appearances plus 2 as substitute

Other: 1 appearance plus 3 as substitute

Dennis Leigh

Dennis Leigh was one of Graham Taylor’s first signings after he became manager of the Imps. Dennis, who mainly played at left back, was already an experienced defender with over 250 first team appearances for Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United when he arrived at Sincil Bank in February 1973. He remained a first choice in City’s defence for his six seasons at the club only missing games through injury or suspension and was one of the key players in the 1975-76 team which won the Fourth Division title setting several records in the process. Dennis moved on in the summer of 1979 and finished his career with Boston United.
Debut vs Hartlepool United, away 17 February 1973
Lincoln City Record:Football League: 201 appearances plus 5 as substitute, 4 goals

FA Cup: 10 appearances

Football League Cup: 13 appearances