Lincoln United get their pre-season schedule underway tomorrow when they travel to Nottingham based side Basford United
That will kickstart what is set to be the Whites’ second consecutive season at step four of non-league football and Dave Frecklington’s first full season in charge.
However, they will be without several key stars that featured for the side last season, although they do have a number of fresh faces already through the door.
Therefore, a series of pre-season friendlies against a mixture of opposition will help us somewhat see what Dave Frecklington’s new look side are about.
Basford United (A)- July 7, 19:45
First up for the Whites is a trip to fellow step four side Basford United who ply their trade in the Midlands division, after defeat in the play-offs last season.
There they were eliminated in the semi-final on penalties to eventual runners-up Belper Town, who themselves lost out from the spot.
However, now they head into the new season hoping to make it one step further than their fourth place finish last time out.
Lincoln City (H)- July 10, 19:45
Next up is a return home and a welcoming of cross city rivals Lincoln City who will field an XI likely made up of academy players and scholars.
That may also feature a few familiar faces for the home crowd as Charlie Carlisle and Noah Simmons both returned to their parent club following their loans last season.
However, there will be no return to the Sun-Hat Villa’s and Resorts stadium for Gbolahan Okewoye after his contract was terminated by mutual consent in February.
Competitive action then returns for Dave Frecklington’s side just four days later when they welcome Gainsborough Trinity in the preliminary round of Lincolnshire Senior County Cup.
Corby Town (H)- July 18, 15:00
Following that one, a quick turnaround sees them welcome to another NPL Midlands side in the shape of Corby Town.
The Steelmen found a comfortable mid-table finish in what was their fifth season in the division after they were transferred from the Division One Central of the Southern League in for the 2021/22 season.
This campaign will become their 11th season at step four after they lost out in the play-off final in 2024-25 as they hope to go one step further.
Carlton Town (A)- July 21, 19:45
Their final away trip of a busy pre-season schedule forces United to travel to the Midlands once again as they face their penultimate step four team in the shape of Carlton Town.
The Millers narrowly missed out on promotion on two occasions last year as they lost out on automatic promotion to Anstey Nomads FC on the last day.
They ended the season just two points behind the champions before losing out to Racing Club Warwick on penalties in the play-off semi-final despite finishing 25 points ahead of them.
Boston Town (H)- July 25, 15:00
The Whites round off their preparations at Ashby Avenue when they welcome fellow Lincolnshire side Boston Town just a week before their first competitive fixture.
This term will mark the sides first at step four since they were founded in 1964 as they prepare to compete in the NPL Midlands Division.
That comes after they won the United Counties League Premier Division North last season by four points ahead of Sherwood Colliery.
They are sure to provide United with plenty of tests ahead of their second consecutive season at step four and despite the fixtures not yet being announced there is plenty of anticipation around Ashby Avenue.