Having earned a league and cup double last season, Lincoln United’s biggest priority this time around was on ensuring their status in the Northern Premier League for the 2026/27 season.
Despite a far from smooth journey along the way, that saw two permanent managers and the same interim on two separate occasions, that is exactly what they managed.
The Whites started the season under the guidance of the man that brought them up in the season prior and seemed to be ticking along quite nicely.
However, Scott Hellewell was dismissed of his duties alongside his assistant Scott Grimes with the side in 15th place and unbeaten in three games.
That came as a shock to many in November with the side having found promising victories over Matlock Town and Dunston UTS, who both ended the season in the play-off places.
On top of that, the side were four points clear of the relegation zone despite heavy defeats to Bishop Auckland and Brighouse Town, who were eventually relegated, as well as comfortable league winners, Redcar Athletic.
Nonetheless, the Lincoln United board decided they had seen enough with the Whites having been eliminated in the FA Cup Preliminary Round as well as the FA Trophy second qualifying round.
A statement said: “The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place.”
That change looked to be a positive one as Billy Heath joined the side having started the season with National League North side Alfreton Town where he had remained for seven years.
There he became the side’s longest serving manager having previously played for the Whites and managed Bridlington Town, North Ferriby and Halifax Town.
However, things weren’t as bright as they seemed for the Whites as Heath managed just five games before resigning having failed to win a league game throughout his tenure.
That saw the Whites fall perilously into 19th place and despite progressing into the semi-final of the Lincolnshire FA Senior Cup things weren’t looking great for the Whites following a large squad turnover during Heath’s time in charge.
That was when Dave Frecklington stepped into the role until the end of the season, with his future yet to be confirmed, the majority of the United fans would like to see him take charge of the side in the long-term.
It’s easy to see why when you look at how the side performed under his guidance as he came in and went unbeaten in his first six league games.
A run that took them from the start of 2026 through to February 21 when the Whites eventually lost out to Bridlington Town.
That form carried on until the end of the season as the Whites consistently found themselves in the top five of the form table and despite being eliminated from the County Cup in the semi-final, there was a feel-good factor at Ashby Avenue.
When that was combined with shock victories over play-off sides Pontefract Collieries and Emley AFC, Frecklington has certainly left a good impression if we have seen the last of him in the dugout.
His tenure saw the side climb up to 14th in the table without losing at home so far in 2026, leaving plenty of positivity around the place going into next season.
Ultimately, the goal this season was for the side to remain at step four and Dave Frecklington took to the dugout and exceeded all expectations at a time of large uncertainty in all areas.
He took a side that was struggling for goals, clean sheets and consistency and made them look like play-off contenders seemingly overnight.
Now they head into next season looking as if they can continue to build on a season where they achieved more than anyone thought was possible.