A whole host of former Lincoln City players and managers were on show on Thursday evening as Sincil Bank played hosted to the clubs annual sponsors’ match.
Former boss Colin Murphy, who lead the Imps to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1980/81 and the conference title in his second spell as manager took his seat in the dug-out for the Select XI.
They were captained by City’s all time record appearance holder Grant Brown against a sponsors’ team led by the current management team of Steve Tilson, Paul Brush and Scott Lindsey.
The game was played in front of a handful of spectators who were housed in the Echo Stand and ended 4-2 to the Select XI.
The Linc spoke to some of the former stars on their return to Sincil Bank and Colin Murphy said it brought back fond memories of those promotion winning seasons.
“It’s quite thrilling and useful to be back here, I think it was a very good situation when we got up in the last match against Wycombe Wanderers,” he said.
Murphy was also quick to stress the importance of holding these sponsorship events with the sponsors’ team including representatives from Jackson Building Centres, Starglaze and Lincoln Vending.
He added: “Sponsorships now are sometimes difficult with the financial situation clubs have but I think the more they get the better it is but they’re coming out here and it’s very good for them.”
Colin Alcide, who made over 100 appearances for Lincoln between 1995 and 1998 featured for the Select XI said it was an enjoyable experience. “My heads working but my body’s not but it’s always nice to come back and play a game and see some of the old boys, some of them are in worse shape than me though,” he joked.
Ex-Imp and now player-manager of Lincoln United Terry Fleming agreed: “It’s brilliant they’ve been doing it for quite a few years now and just glad to get the call and I’m always happy to come down and help out when I can.”
“It’s a fantastic occasion obviously Lincoln City are giving something back to the sponsors who have sponsored games and executive boxes throughout the year and a great occasion for some of the supporters to come and see some of the old faces again.”
A number of club staff got their chance to shine and media manager John Vickers netted in the corresponding fixture last time and started for the Select team this year. He said: “It’s a great experience and it’s a great bit of PR for the club getting the commercial sponsors involved as well.”
“The sponsors get their chance to play at Sincil Bank and the only chance some of them will have of course, it is part of our relationship with them as well. There’s a lot of work that goes on off the field as well as on it and the more we can do to create relationships with local businesses the better.”