Lincoln United chairman Allen Crombie and men’s manager Chris Funnell have both stepped down from their roles at the club.
Crombie will step down at next month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), while Funnell has left his post with immediate effect.
It comes at the end of a successful season for the club. It was one that brought a first-ever Isuzu FA Vase semi-final, a second-placed finish in the United Counties League Premier Division North, a league cup semi-final and a retention of their Lincolnshire FA County Senior Trophy.
Allen Crombie said: “It was always the case that my taking the chair was an interim role during which we would try to improve things throughout the club, and with everyone’s support and hard work, we have achieved a great deal. On the field, the men’s first team has had one of its best seasons ever and Chris Funnell, his staff and the players have worked tirelessly throughout a season in which they’ve played nearly 60 games, competing to the very end in four different competitions.”
He added: “I would like to thank Chris for everything he has done for the club and we all wish him well for the future. Off the field, we have been incredibly lucky to have secured a solid base of existing and new sponsors and I know the club will continue to work closely with them moving forward. The Supporters’ Trust is proving to be a great asset and, as always, our loyal band of volunteers has stepped up to the plate, especially for our two record-breaking Vase games. Last, but not least, our fans have been tremendous, and I hope we can continue to grow the number of people coming through the gate to support their local non-league team.”
Chris Funnell took charge of the club in 2022, after being director of football for two years prior.
He said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Lincoln United story and after the disappointment of last season, when the Men’s First Team were relegated, it is testimony to everyone involved that we were able to turn in such an impressive season.”
Lincoln ended their season with disappointment in the play-off semi-finals, losing to Skegness Town at Ashby Avenue’s Sun-hat Vilas & Resorts Stadium.
“Of course, it is disappointing that we couldn’t get that Wembley appearance or promotion, but that shouldn’t detract from our overall success and the hard work that everyone put in. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have given me – the Board, the staff and players, the volunteers, and the fans – they all make Lincoln United the great Club that it is,” Funnell added.
It has been confirmed to The Linc that Funnell will remain as manager of the women’s team, which secured promotion into the FA National League this term. He took charge of the side in 2020.
Sam Wilkinson, The Whites’ vice-chair, said: “Our sole focus now is to find their replacements and to get ready for the next season, and to keep improving everything that we do at the club. There’s a lot to be excited about at Lincoln United and we can’t wait to start on the next chapter.”
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography