Both Lincoln sides will begin their pre-season campaign at the Sun-Hat Villas and Resorts Stadium in a Lincoln derby tonight (7.45pm KO).
Ahead of kick-off, a new partnership between the Imps and the Whites has been announced with the intention of helping to drive forward football in the local area.
As a result of this partnership, it’s been confirmed that an annual pre-season friendly will take place between the teams at the Sun-Hat Villas and Resorts Stadium, home of Lincoln United.
Gold membership holders at Lincoln City will receive a discounted entry to United’s home games when there is no football being played at the LNER Stadium and season ticket holders at United will receive exclusive offers for selected Imps games.
The first opportunity to showcase the new partnership comes tonight under the lights as the two sides meet each other in a pre-season friendly for the first time in a decade.
The Imps will be hoping for a strong pre-season campaign as they look to kick on from last seasons top half SkyBet League One finish and make the jump into the play-off places.
The Whites will also be looking to bring momentum into their season as they made their return to step four of the non-league after winning the UCL Premier Division North trophy last term.
Manager’s Quotes
Scott Hellewell, Lincoln United manager, said: “We’re looking forward to the games starting to be honest, It’ll be a tough test against a full time outfit.
“We have a couple of lads away so it will give others a chance to gain vital minutes, whilst also giving us a chance to look at a couple of trialists.”
The fixture also may see the Whites give debuts to some of their new signings, Heath Richardson, Scott Fenwick, Ethan Bojang and Stef Galinski all being announced this summer, as well as the returning duo of Sam Swinn and Max Baker.
Lincoln City’s U18 head coach Sam Tillen is set to be on the touchline for the Imps tonight as a new influx of scholars are set to feature for the first time.
Tillen told the Lincoln City official website: “We’re really looking forward to the occasion under the lights against a senior men’s side. It will be a proper test of our physicality and resilience, especially for such a young group under the lights and in front of a crowd.
“We’ve got nine first years in the squad this season, so this is a fantastic early opportunity for them to experience the demands of senior football, alongside our second years who we’re expecting to lead by example.”