On 24th October, the Government announced the launch of the new Football Governance Bill, which has been strengthened in a number of area. Areas of interest of particular interest to fans are likely to be the role of an Independent Regulator, financial redistribution across the EFL and supporter representation. It is anticipated that the parliamentary process of formally adopting the Bill will take until Summer 2025.
Through the work of our Trust, we are in regular dialogue with the Football Supporters Association (FSA), and this work is now headed up by one of our new Trust Board Members, Julian Buttery. Going forward, he will look to provide further information on fan-related issues and campaigns that the FSA is engaged with through this website and through our social media channels.
For those interested in the detail of the Bill can find it HERE
The opportunity to make the on-pitch presentation of the next “Player of the Month” award is one of the prizes on offer to the winners of our latest anagram competition. Please hand your entry form in to our Pod in the University of Lincoln Fan Village before kick-off on one of the upcoming home match days.
Trust board member Julian Buttery and new junior member Charlie Grimshaw present Ethan Erhahon with the Trust Player of the Month for September trophy voted by our fans.
Photograph courtesy Chris Vaughan and Lincoln City Football Club
The Red Imps Community Trust is delighted to announce that Phil Scrafton is our new Fan Elected Director (FED) and starts work straight away to represent you – the fans – on the club board.
Phil joined the Trust Board at the beginning of the 2024/25 season after being elected as the Supporter Elected Director, one of two Directors representing the Club’s fan base on the Club board.
Previous FED Rob Bradley is seen “passing the baton” to Phil at the game against Stockport County
Phil is local to Lincoln having spent his very earliest years in Hartsholme, followed by ‘school’ years living just off Doddington Road. Like many, Phil became an Imps fan after an early introduction as a young boy attending matches with his dad and older brother, before being allowed to attend games with his mates in his early teens.
His career has been in town planning and development, commencing at the City Council in 1981. Over 20 years later Phil decided to seek new challenges in the private sector planning consultancy world, joining Lichfield Planning, whose main office was in London.
As Equity Partner when the recession took hold after 2008, it was clear that changes were needed and Phil jointly led the formation of Globe Consultants – a joint town planning and economic development business – based in Lincoln in 2010. He led that business as Managing Director until deciding to step away into semi-retirement in 2022.
Business interests are now mainly limited to providing part-time support to the delivery of a major mixed housing and leisure development on a riverside site east of Lincoln. This is a project he’s led with the landowner for around 15 years and is keen to see through to completion, delivering huge benefits for a very supportive local community.
Fortunately, Phil now has time to follow his longstanding desire to travel and to spend more time with family. Phil is married to Jane, has two grown up children, two young grandsons and is looking forward to the latest generation’s first match experience being at Sincil Bank.
The FPA guests for tomorrow’s game against Stockport County are Simon Yeo and Paul Smith – note this is Paul M Smith who played 1987 to 1995 . The host is Matt Carmichael. Details below:
Matt Carmichael
Today’s host is Matt Carmichael who 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 goal
Other: 7 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 2 goals
Paul Smith
Paul Smith was an attacking player who was signed by Colin Murphy from Port Vale in September 1987 at the start of City’s Vauxhall Conference campaign following relegation out of the Football League. Paul cost a record non-league transfer fee and made his debut in a 4-1 win at Stafford Rangers. He played regularly over the remainder of the season helping the Imps to the title and a return back to the League at the first attempt. He went on to make over 250 first team appearances for City before departing in the summer of 1995. He began his career at Sheffield United and had a spell on loan with Stockport where he scored five goals in seven League appearances. Paul moved on to Port Vale in 1986 and then arrived at Sincil Bank.
Debut vs Stafford Rangers, away 5 September 1987 Lincoln City Record Football League: 219 appearances + 13 as substitute, 27 goals FA Cup: 7 appearances plus 2 as substitute, 1 goal Football League Cup: 10+2 appearances Vauxhall Conference: 33 appearances, 8 goals Other: 20 appearances, 4 goals
Simon Yeo
Simon Yeo signed from non-league Hyde United in August 2002 scoring on his home debut against Rochdale and continued to be a prolific scorer throughout his time at Sincil Bank. The highlights of his career included scoring against Torquay on the final day of the 2002-03 season to secure City a place in the play-offs where he came off the bench in both semi-final legs against Scunthorpe United with dramatic effect – scoring twice in the last 20 minutes to earn the Imps a 5-3 win at Sincil Bank and then netting the winner in the second leg at Scunthorpe. He was the Supporters Player of the Year and leading scorer in 2004-05 but left in the summer to play in New Zealand. He returned in January of the following year only to depart again in the summer of 2006. Simon later played for Peterborough United, Chester City and Macclesfield Town.
Debut vs. Kidderminster Harriers away 10 August 2002 Lincoln City Record Football League: 85 appearances plus 50 as substitute, 42 goals FA Cup: 4 appearances, 1 goal Football League Cup: 2 appearances plus 1 as substitute 2 goals Other: 9 appearances plus 7 as substitute, 6 goals
Gavin Gordon was a striker who made his senior debut for Hull City just two months after his 16th 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 and covers Imps games as a match summariser for BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
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
Terry Fleming
Terry Fleming was a midfield player who made over 200 first team appearances for City during his five years with the club. Terry was signed by manager John Beck from Preston North End in December 1995 and was a key player for the Imps during his time at the club. He missed only a handful of games in 1997-98 when City clinched promotion on the final day of the season defeating Brighton 2-1 with Terry scoring the opening goal. He moved on in the summer of 2000 when he signed for Plymouth Argyle. He later played for Cambridge and Grimsby Town before appearing for several non-league clubs including Lincoln United.
Debut vs Plymouth Argyle, home 16 December 1995
Lincoln City Record
Football League: 175 appearances plus 8 as substitute, 8 goals
FA Cup: 11 appearances, 2 goalsFootball League Cup: 11 appearances plus 1 as substitute 2 goals
Darren Horrigan
Darren Horrigan was a young goalkeeper who joined the Imps as a trainee from Birmingham City. He appeared regularly in the youth and reserve teams and was regularly on the first team bench as sub keeper. His only Football League experience was in March 2002 when he come on for the second half against Southend United following an injury to Alan Marriott. Darren moved on in the summer of 2004 and later played for several north-east clubs including Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and Tow Law
Debut vs Southend United, home 16 March 2002 as substitute
Our charity partner for 2024, Lincoln City Foundation, has launched a new “Social Hub” initiative, a free access space for members of the local community to do whatever they like. For more information, please click here.
