In just four years The 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium has seen three different permanent managers pass through its doors, along with two caretakers.
Now David Holdsworth joins Chris Sutton and Steve Tilson in managers who have tried their hand at the Lincoln City job, but fallen short of where the board sees Lincoln City Football Club.
Under Holdsworth, the Imps have gained just six points in their last 11 Blue Square Premier League fixtures and it seems that enough was enough for Lincoln City’s hierarchy, chaired by Bob Dorrian.
In November though, Holdsworth won the Manager of the Month Award and it seemed like an Imps push for the play-offs was a very realistic probability.
But the stats speak for themselves. Two wins in four months is not good enough for a club with fond memories of play-off finals under Big Keith.
Over Holdsworth’s tenure at the club, over 75 players have been used. A lot of this has been down to injuries to squad members and the fluctuating fashion in which players move in and out at Conference level. But it can’t be ignored that even with a full squad at periods during his reign; results simply have not been good enough.
Holdsworth knew the level after his term at the helm of Mansfield Town. His contacts in non-league had allowed him to bring in players like captain Gary Mills and Adam Smith. However, as Brendan Rodgers is finding a few levels higher at Liverpool, familiarity in the form of Fabio Borini and Joe Allen doesn’t always breed success.
With the ex-Watford, Sheffield United and Birmingham City defender gone, who can steady the ship at City?
Names being mused around the Bank have included youth team coach Grant Brown, alongside former players like Darren Huckerby, with the latter taking to Twitter to say: “Just seen Lincoln City Manager has left, do I apply for the job again? Maybe I’d get a e-mail back this time? [sic]”
Other names which have been thrown into the mixer have included recently departed Preston United and ex-Stevenage manager Graham Westley and ex-Scunthrope gaffer Alan Knill.
Gary Simpson, who was caretaker manager just under a decade ago, is also being linked with the vacant managerial post along with Steve Thompson.
Whoever takes over, they have a task on their hands which won’t be envied by many. Steering the club clear of relegation to the Blue Square North must be the primary goal of any new appointment. But, beyond then, it seems the board want someone with the ambition and ability to take the club back to the Football League.
Whether there is a manager out there capable, we shall have to see.