With thanks to Donald Nannestad

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

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

Tony Cunningham

Tony Cunningham was a striker who was brought to Lincoln by Colin Murphy from non-league club Stourbridge in May 1979. He made an instant impact on his debut in a League Cup tie against Barnsley and marked his first City game with a goal. Tony remained a regular first team player during his three full seasons at Sincil Bank and finished as leading scorer with 15 league and cup goals in 1981-82 when the Imps narrowly missed out on promotion to second tier football. He was sold to Barnsley in September 1982 and and made 40 League appearances for the Reds scoring 11 goals before joining Sheffield Wednesday in November 1983. Tony later played for clubs including Manchester City and Newcastle United making a total of almost 500 senior appearances before ending his career with Wycombe Wanderers. One of his sons Karl later also played for the Imps. 

Debut vs Barnsley, home (Football League Cup) 11 August 1979

Lincoln City Record:

Football League: 111 appearances plus 12 as substitute, 32 goals

FA Cup: 5 appearances plus 1 as substitute

Football League Cup: 13 appearances, 8 goalsOther Games: 6 appearances, 2 goals

Dean West

Dean West made his debut for City in the final game of the 1990-91 season while still a trainee and scored in a 6-2 home win over Carlisle. Soon afterwards he signed a professional contract and quickly established himself in the first team appearing at right back and in midfield making over 100 appearances for the Imps. Dean moved to Bury in September 1995 and later played for Burnley completing over 100 first team appearances for both Lancashire clubs. He briefly returned to City as the start of 2004-05 season and later played for clubs including Boston United and King’s Lynn.

Debut vs Carlisle United, home 11 May 1991

Lincoln City Record: 

Football League: 97 appearances plus 26 as substitute, 20 goals
FA Cup: 6 appearances, 1 goal
Football League Cup: 11 appearances, 1 goal
Other: 5 appearances plus 2 as substitute, 1 goal