Lincoln United manager, Dave Frecklington, and assistant manager, Sam Wilkinson, have committed themselves to the Evo-Stik Division One South club for another three seasons as it looks to build on its best season in recent history.

United chairman, Malcolm Cowling, has acted quickly to secure the services of his young management team well before the end of a season which sees the United side pushing for the play-offs. In addition, the Club has agreed an increased budget for the 2015-2016 season, regardless of where it finishes this season, and more of its players are to be offered contracts.

“Dave Frecklington and his management team have showed just how committed they are to Lincoln United’s push for promotion.” said Cowling. “They endured a poor first season and a disappointing start to this season but they stuck with the way they wanted the team to play, the players responded and now we’re doing all we can to get into the play-offs. Whether we get there this season remains to be seen but even if we don’t we want this management team and these players to stay with us. They’ve served up some of the best football seen from a Lincoln United side for some years and everyone connected with the Club wants to see more of it.

That’s why we’ve signed a three-year agreement with Dave and Sam, given them more funding to strengthen the squad even further next season, and are offering contracts to more of our players. Not surprisingly, our resurgence has attracted interest in our managers and players from other clubs but we’re doing everything we can to keep them at Lincoln United as we continue with our push for higher football.”

With his side still fighting for a play-off place, Dave Frecklington’s main focus is understandably on the remaining games but that hasn’t stopped him looking ahead.

“Managing our hometown club where Sam and I served as players means everything to us” he said, ”and that drives us on more than anything to make this club successful. When we were offered the job 18 months ago, it was a very proud moment for us both. Sentiment apart, our ambitions match those of all concerned with Lincoln United and we are delighted to agree this long term deal. Now we have sorted our futures out, we can focus our efforts to try and tie up our promising young players who we believe are key to developing our progress even further.

This is my first shot at managing” he said, “and it was tough when we couldn’t get results, despite our best efforts, but we now have a young and talented team working tirelessly for each other and we think we can make the play-offs. If we do, anything can happen – if we don’t we’ll continue developing the squad, strengthen it where we need to and then push again next season. That’s why Sam and I, and our coaches Chris Rawlinson and Mark Leary, are pleased to commit to the Club for another three seasons, at least.

The increase in budget still doesn’t put us in the higher bracket but it’s not always about the money: the players love playing for the Club and we’ll be offering more of them contracts; we have a good board and team of volunteers; and a great set of fans. There’s a buzz at Ashby Avenue and we want to keep it going all the way to the Premier Division.”

Photo shows, from left to right: United’s chairman, Malcolm Cowling; Dave Frecklington; Sam Wilkinson; and United’s director of football, Allen Crombie.