Lincoln City

Lincoln City was founded in 1884 as an amateur club and went pro in 1891. The following year they helped form the Second Division of the Football League. In 1895 Lincoln moved to Sincil Bank Stadium, where they have played since 1895.

In 1908, they failed re-election back to the Football League, but they were promoted the next year after winning the Midland League. This would happen again in 1911 and 1920. After several relegations they were in the Fourth Division in 1962, where they stayed until 1976. For the next 10 years they became a yo-yo club, bouncing between the Third and Fourth Division.

In 1987 things got worse for Lincoln City as they became the first club to become automatically relegated from the Football League; in the old system such things were decided by a vote. However, they secured promotion back the very next year. They bounced up and down for another 10 years, and in 2002 the club found themselves in financial hardship and administration.

On the very last day of the 2011–12 season, Lincoln City suffered relegation from League Two, and they remained out of the Football League until 2017. But they have come back in great style.

They had a memorable run in the 2016–17 FA Cup after beating Premier League side Burnley 1–0 to advance to the quarterfinals, making them the first non-league team to reach the quarterfinals since 1914. They also got promoted back to the league that season.

In 2018, their cup success continued when they won their first EFL Trophy, defeating Shrewsbury Town during their very first trip to Wembley. In 2019, they won League Two, which put them back into League One. 

2024–25 SEASON: 11th in League One, 3rd Round FA Cup, 1st Round League Cup 

2025–26 SEASON: League One (promoted in 2019)

Lincoln City’s two main rivals are Lincolnshire neighbors Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United. The main rival has switched over the years, but both remain significant rivals to this day. Mansfield Town and Notts County are also considered rivals, but not to the same level.

Founded in 2008, Lincoln City Women FC play in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands. The club came fully under the men’s team as of the 2022–23 season, and they play a number of games at the men’s stadium. Otherwise, they are at Moorlands Sports Club.

Nothing specific I noticed

Lincoln City has played at Sincil Bank since 1895. The name comes from the fact that it sits on the banks of the Sincil Dike. The stadium has a capacity of 10,669 and is known as “The Bank” to local fans despite being officially the LNER Stadium, as it’s sponsored by the London and North East Railroad.

Its four stands are quite different, with the most unique one being the St. Andrews Stand. It was built in 1987 but was smaller than planned because the club was low on money at the time. It’s the tallest but narrowest stand and houses the club facilities. The more modern and much bigger main stand is across the way. Behind one goal is a stand for away supporters, and behind the other is a tiny one with some suites above a few rows of seats.

TOURS: They have a great thing for tours: Arrive early and ask for the pregame stadium tour in the club shop. Check the website for details, but it tends to be about two hours before kickoff. When I went it was led by the Supporter Liaison Officer, who is also the PA announcer. He introduced me in the media room and to the club chairman! He seemed to know everyone outside the ground by name.

GETTING THERE: It’s an easy 15-minute walk from the train station, though it is in the opposite direction from everything else you will want to do in town.

PUBS: The Centre Spot Tavern is a supporters’ club in the stadium. Along the walk out there, the Victoria and The Treaty of Commerce.

GRUB: The usual fare at the stadium, plenty of options in town.

AROUND TOWN: Lincoln was, for me, quite a discovery. Its history goes back to Roman times, and it has both a castle and cathedral from the 11th century. Both of those are in a lovely medieval core highlighted by Steep Hill, a street with a 14 percent grade (trust me, that’s steep!) with the castle and cathedral at the top. It’s filled with shops and tearooms and old pubs, and the walkable urban area at the bottom is filled with restaurants, as is the area around Brayford Pool, near the station. From there you can also catch a boat ride on the local canal.

Military history enthusiasts will enjoy the International Bomber Command Center.

It’s pretty far from anywhere to Lincoln, so plan to spend a night there.