Lincoln United get their competitive season started this weekend when they travel to Grantham Town in the Extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup.
In the lead up to that clash, the Whites have made some positive additions to the squad with five new faces coming through the door at the Sun-Hat Villa’s and Resorts stadium.
Combine that with the fact that there have been no departures throughout the month of July and you get the sense that manager Dave Frecklington has built a side capable of a strong campaign.
The month started with the return of a familiar face in Leo Priestley as he rejoined the Whites after he helped Scott Hellewell secure the treble in the 2024/25 season.
That included a return to step four for the side before Priestley departed to help fellow Lincolnshire outfit Boston Town secure their own promotion last term.
The midfielder has had the chance to feature twice against his former club throughout this pre-season as Dave Frecklington’s men lost out 1-0 at home.
However, they then travelled to the Mortgages For You stadium where they managed to find the equaliser they lacked the week prior as they played out a 1-1 draw.
Lewis Marsh also formed part of that team as he joined from step five side Harrowby United after the defender left the side in 2022.
He returns having clinched Harrowby’s player of the season award last campaign and last featured for the Whites in their first stint in the Northern Premier League East Division.
That completed Frecklington’s defensive recruitment, having previously added to his backline in June as focus returned to the middle of the park with the addition of Josh Blant.
The Youngster arrived at United having spent time with the Lincoln City academy before making his debut against his former side as a trialist.
He has since featured in every game throughout pre-season once more as a trialist before his signing was confirmed.
Marsh has struggled with injury troubles over the last two years following a long-term injury sustained in the 2024/25 season which halted his development slightly.
But he was joined by journeyman midfielder Finley Armond, who arrived at the club from Sherwood Colliery, having only moved to the side last season after previously spending time in the Boston United youth setup.
After being given his Boston debut at 18-years-old, he then jumped across the Atlantic where he spent three years with American College side Queen’s Knights before returning to Lincolnshire.
Since that point he enjoyed a three-season stint with Sleaford Town as well as time at recently relegated Matlock Town and Basford United.
Most recently however, the Whites were bolstered by young attacking talent Harvey Parkinson-Maynard who also spent time in pre-season on trial, with his signing being confirmed ahead of the clash with Carlton Town which the Whites lost out 4-2.
United manager Dave Frecklington seems to have built a side with a strong spine heading into the season capable of the defensive stability we saw so often last campaign.
However, will it be enough for his team build the push for the play-offs they seem so capable of?