Lincoln United returned for pre-season training with their first friendly set to kick off in exactly a week’s time against a Lincoln City XI.
That opposition side will likely see a few familiar faces, but following a host of changes for the Whites so far this summer there is plenty of uncertainty around their side.
That came after they announced that Dave Frecklington would take permanent charge of the side after he took on an interim role from New Years day last year.
Since then, the Whites have remained unbeaten at home in the league and climbed from 19th up to 14th in the Northern Premier League East Division table.
We looked into how the squad has already changed from the memorable run heading into the 2026/27 season.
Departures
The Whites started the summer by announcing a whole host of departures as goalkeeper Heath Richardson would be moving on after he kept 16 clean sheets in 50 games last season.
The shot stopper is yet to be announced at a new club as is full-back Lewis Cunningham who joined in December of last year.
While a pair of last year’s arrivals have already moved onto new sides as playmaker Harvey Cribb was announced at league rivals Grimsby Borough while Bradley Wells has joined Ollerton Town’s management setup.
Alongside that treble winners Jack Varley and Owen Vincent both departed to join up with a number of former Whites at NCEL Premier Division side Bottesford Town.
However, perhaps the biggest losses for the Whites came in the shape of Jack Dando who left for play-off challengers Hallam FC and top goal-scorer Connor Brown who signed for step three side Gainsborough Trinity.
Finally loanee’s Charlie Carlisle, Noah Simmons and Billy Bradley have all returned to their respective parent clubs in Lincoln City and Boston United.
Arrivals
The Whites then quickly started working hard to find replacements as four have already come through the door with more to come.
On the recruitment strategy, Manager Dave Frecklington said: “I’m really excited about this group, our recruitment has been exactly what we want it to be.
“We’ve recruited a different type of profile this season, they’re a really fit, hungry and energetic group and a lot more local based which was important.”
That recruitment started with attackers Liam Moran and Rio Molyneaux who joined from Belper Town and playoff challengers North Ferriby respectively.
Before the Whites then opted to bolster their defensive options as centre-back Tom Ward joined following a managerial stint at Newark and Sherwood.
He won the National League North title with Kings Lynn in 2019-20 as well as a play-off winner in the same league with St Albans.
He was joined most recently by his former goalkeeper Liam Flitton after the 21-year-old kept over 55 cleans sheets in 175 games at step five.
Those exciting signings will also be joined by the ever-reliable Alan Power who has been retained by the club for what is set to be an unpredictable first full season under Dave Frecklington.