Yep its that time of year when i look back at the high and low points of the season gone by. The awards are spilt into three this year. The Lincoln City awards, The Non-league awards and the Gourmet food awards.
The Lincoln awards are first up.
Player of the season award.
When choosing a player of the year i think you have to look at the season as a whole. And for me the only players who could have been considered for the award are Scott Kerr, Rob Burch, and Cian Houghton. So it gives me pleasure to give this year's award to Cian Houghton.
For me he has been a class act this season and one of the few bright spots in a dreadful campaign. We took a chance on him; only giving him a six month contract and he grabbed his chance with both hands. For me he is at his best on the wing but he also did well at full back. Now if he can just get his dad to bring Newcastle down here for a pre season friendly.
Most disappointing player.
Khano Smith. Despite being described as an "MLS Star" and a Bermudan International, he spent most of his thankfully short spell at Lincoln on his arse. His "Performance" at Northwich in the FA cup live on ITV has probably killed his career in England.
Best Home performance.
This is a tough one. I missed three home games that we won and from all accounts we played really well in all three (Bradford,Chesterfield and Bournemouth) But as i didn't see them i cant include them. I will go for our 1-0 win over Aldershot in Chris Sutton's first game in charge.
Worst Home Performance
Plenty of choice here! Notts County, Burton, Shrewsbury, Torquay, Morecambe, and Port vale were all dreadful, but i will go for the 0-2 at Home to Burton.
Best away Performance
We have join winners here.
Lincoln, as most people know have a super crap record in the FA cup, and before this season hadn't made the 3rd round since 1999. So when we were drawn away in the 2nd round at Blue square north side Northwich Victoria (two leagues below the Imps) we all feared the worse.
The fact that the game was live on national TV and the fact that Northwich had dumped league one Charlton in round one just added to the pressure. We controlled the first half and kept them at arms length. When they scored we hit straight back and didn't buckle like i have seen City do so many times before in the FA cup. We went through got a decent tie away at Premiership Bolton and invested the prize money in the squad which helped us stay up.
The second winner goes to the away Lincolnshire derby at Grimsby.
The aim here was simple. Don't lose this game. We took an early lead, the cods hit two either side of the break to take the lead and suddenly our position in the table was looking very bleak.
We did hit back though, but after that the game could have gone either way. Both sides went for the three points. We had a goal chalked off for no reason and in the last minute of extra time Grimsby had what looked like a decent shout for a penalty turned down. Had we lost here then i really think Grimsby would have stayed up at our expense. We all saw the run they went on after they smashed us 5-1 the season before. This one was of the best Lincolnshire Derbys i have seen and must have been great to watch as a neutral. The point came at a cost though as Adam Watts broke his leg, so that was our best defender out for the season. Had he stayed fit he would have been a contender for the player of the year award.
The fish and chips pre match were very nice to. I will genuinely miss the derby match at Grimsby next year.
Worst away trip
Darlington. Freezing cold night, under 2000 in a 25,000 seater stadium poor performance away at the bottom of the table. At least we got a point in the last minute.
All smiles in the pub before the away game at Darlington, little did we foresee the crap we were about to watch unfold before our very eyes.
Most enjoyable away day.
Apart for the trip to FC Celle in pre season i have decided to go for Bradford City away. Nice stadium, Lincoln saved a penalty and then scored two goals in a minute, and for the most part played Bradford city of the park. It was back in August so it was also t-shirt weather which always adds to the feel good factor. This was to be Jackos last win in charge and it was probably one of his best.
Another factor which helped was we had a great kebab after the match. Below is the menu and if in the area i strongly recommend a visit. The Retford Imps will be dining here again next season!!!
Best new ground visited
Afc Telford
Worst new ground
Burton Albion- the game was crap aswell.
Move of the season.
Only two contenders really; in second place, our goal at home to Rochdale, but well out in front is the old boy who sold Baz a dummy down his left hand side to sneak in front of him in the car park away at AFC Telford.
This lead to the conversation of the season
Baz -Where the fuck you think your going old boy? Oh right your going there
Myself and Fleech - He's done you Baz, the old boy's done you!!!!!
Baz - Fuck off!
Trust me it was funny at the time.
Most helpful person found on our travels.
The bearded wonder of Derbyshire who helped us park up in the car park near Chesterfield fc. On closer inspection the chap didnt have a beard.
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