Lincoln United returned for pre-season training just under two weeks ago and manager Scott Hellewell welcomed six new faces to replace a number of “unexpected” departures.
Preparations for a return to step four for the first time since the 2022/23 season step up on Friday as the Whites welcome cross-city rivals Lincoln City, marking the first chance for fans to see the fresh faces.
Departures
The first player announced to be departing Lincoln United was that of goalkeeper Jack Steggles who was unable to commit to the amount of travelling required next season as he begins a career in teaching.
The Goalkeeper has since gone on to return to step 5 with Grantham Town who will spend next season in the Combined Counties Premier Division North following relegation last term.
He was also joined by the departure of top goal scorer Jack McMenemy who returned to NCEL Premier Division side Bottesford Town having played for the Poachers in 2018/19.
Also leaving the club’s retained list were defenders Tom Hipwell, Evan Payne and Sean Wright alongside midfielders Leo Priestley and Louis Boyd as well as wide man Scott Matthews.
The New Faces
The first of six new arrivals at Ashby Avenue was former Bradford City goalkeeper Heath Richardson who joined from Cleethorpes Town having also represented Pontefract Collieries last season.
The 21-year-old made a combined 36 appearances between the two sides at step four and described himself as a “modern keeper.”
He was then quickly followed by experienced centre-back Stefan Galinski who previously represented Poland under-18’s.
The defender famously scored a header from his own half while representing Basford United in 2019 and boasts the likes of Stoke City and Derby County on his impressive CV while most recently representing Mickleover FC.
Next through the door just a day later was returning full-back Max Baker who previously departed at the end of the 2023/24 season, the 22-year-old spent last season at Combined Counties Premier Division North side Skegness Town where he won Player of the Season.
Also returning to the side to bolster the back line is young centre back Sam Swinn, the 21-year-old featured for Bottesford Town where he spent a season as the club’s captain in the NCEL Premier Division.
Manager Scott Hellewell said: “We feel we have a much-improved player coming back after a season at step 5, he was captain at Bottesford and mopped up at their awards night.”
The final two arrivals this month both possess seriously impressive CV’s, the first of which, midfielder Ethan Bojang who previously represented the Gambian Under 20’s and the likes of Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United at club level.
The 22-year-old also featured for Lincolnshire clubs Gainsborough Trinity, Spalding United and Grantham Town.
The most recent arrival, striker Scott Fenwick will be hoping that he can fill the boots of the departing McMenemy after joining from Grimsby Borough.
The 35-year-old scored six goals in 27 games in the Northern Premier League East division last season after he spent a brief period in Australia in 2024.
Fenwick also spent periods in the Football League where he represented Hartlepool United, scoring ten goals in two seasons before dropping down to the National League.
With six arrivals already through the door for the Whites and more expected soon Scott Hellewell said: “We’ve had a lot of lads leave which was unexpected given the season that we had but we’ve recruited quite well and we’re waiting on a few other lads so we’re looking forward to getting back to step four.”