Cllr Biff Bean has been attending matches at Sincil Bank since 1967 when he was just a young boy with his father, and nearly 60 years on he speaks about the club’s promotion to the second tier of English football.
It’s no surprise that the club will benefit immensely from increased finances next season. This will come from the promotion itself as well as the likely increase in ticket prices. Not only this, but the bigger clubs that are set to visit Lincoln will provide a never-before-seen financial influx for the whole city.
The fact is that the club has been central to life in the city, never more than this year as the sheer level of success has attracted much more attention than previous years to the club that Cllr Bean has described as the “heartbeat of the city.”
The councillor has adopted a role in the Red Imps Community Trust, which is responsible for keeping a “harmonious relationship between the club and the fans in the city.”
The atmosphere in and around the city has been nothing short of incredible this year as Michael Skubala has led his team to heights that fans have only dreamed of.
Lincoln City have announced upgrades to their stadium over the Summer which are intended to improve the experience for the fans socially as well as in ways to enjoy the sport.
Speaking on the ideas and the current fan village by the ground, Cllr Bean said: “I can’t see a negative around the ground at all.”
The success has some fans reminiscing of the 1976 title win on Easter Weekend, with the Imps looking ever more likely to repeat the story 50 years on from that historic weekend.
The massive win against Cardiff City a few weeks ago was enough to secure top spot as the business end of the season approaches, and with the Bluebirds dropping points it seems like the dream of silverware might be close for Lincoln City.
Cllr Bean said: “It’s made everyone in Lincoln enjoy life.” As it has become easier in recent months to see the positive impact that the club’s recent success has had on the lives of residents in the city of Lincoln over the past few months.
Cllr Bean believes that the whole city will benefit massively from the promotion to the Championship this year, anticipating an upscale in the Red Imps Community Trust as well as the huge “Knock-on effect” that will be experienced by businesses that are linked closely to the club and the University of Lincoln which still has very strong ties to the club.
He described the promotion this year to be: “The biggest achievement for Lincoln City Football Club in my lifetime.” And that is not lost on those who follow the club as the feeling of sheer joy can be felt at the LNER Stadium every time the Imps play at home.
It remains to be seen whether there will be a sheer increase in facilities around Sincil Bank as a result of the inevitable promotion, however, it seems as though that may be the case as the whole city will look to improve around the club.
Similar examples of this have been seen in cities such as Leeds who have recently begun a mass industrial project where millions have been invested into local infrastructure and all-round city improvements.
The City of Lincoln will be hoping to do the same as the growth of the football club and university continue to provide opportunities for growth.
Cllr bean praised the chairman Rob Fowler as well as ex-chairman Clive Nates who have invested large sums of money into the club, and he hopes that these investments will benefit all those in and around the club in the not to distant future.