My New Year message this year is tinged with much sadness as the whole Club struggles to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss last Sunday of our longest-serving volunteer, Tony (Baggy) Adams. Tony had been involved with Lincoln United for over 35 years and he will be sadly missed by everyone at the Club. We will pay a more detailed tribute to Tony in a future issue of the programme but, in the meantime, I know I speak for everyone when I offer my sincere condolences to Marlene and her family. We have also lost one of our oldest and most loyal fans, Fred Reed, who sadly died over the Christmas period.

Like everyone at Lincoln United, Tony and Fred were pleased to see some pride restored on the field this season after what has seemed an age. In fact, this time last year we were once again looking behind us in the Division with more than a little concern. Despite the hard work put in by the new management team and players, points were hard to come by, our discipline was poor and we were worried about being dragged into another relegation battle. What a difference a year makes, especially when you believe in what you’re trying to do on the field and you’ve got a great team off the field.

Now, we are looking ahead of us in the Division and plotting what we have to do to stay in touch with the play-off places and we’ll be doing everything we can to secure one of those coveted spots. Our interest in the various Cup competitions ended for another season when we were knocked out of the Doodson Sport Cup, but only after three excellent performances against Premier Division opposition. The fact that we are challenging for the play-offs and beating teams a Division higher is testimony to Dave Frecklington, his management team and, most of all, our players who have really served up some excellent football this season. The work ethic and team spirit in the dressing room are key factors in the dramatic turnaround in our fortunes this season and our discipline is such that we are now in contention for an end-of-season award.

What could go wrong, you might ask? Well this is football and it can be a fickle and cruel game. We still have a long way to go and we will need to work even harder to finish ahead of the very good teams in our Division who also have aspirations to play at a higher level. The support our loyal fans have given us this season has been second to none and I hope they can keep it up as it gives the players a tremendous boost.

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for the warm and genuine support they have shown me and my family after our recent sad loss and I know we will all be just as caring for Marlene – we really are a family at Lincoln United Football Club and long may it continue.

On behalf of the Board, I hope 2015 brings everyone connected with the Club success, happiness and peace.

Malcolm Cowling
Chairman