A serious post (for once)

Ok chaps i am going to have to write a serious post and it involves the consequences for Lincoln City should we be relegated in a couple of weeks or so time. Although it would be a huge blow, i would feel pretty crappy for a couple of weeks, and i most definitely don't want it to happen, It certainly wouldn't be the end of the world.
Lets consider for just a moment that we do drop down (and remember its still in our own hands at this point) Would it really be that much different to what we have been use to? Lets look at it bit by bit.
Opponents
The last time we dropped down to the 5th tier in 1987 it really was a step into the unknown if we do again its very much a case of renewing old acquaintances
Grimsby, Darlington, Mansfield, Wrexham, Luton, Rushden&Diamonds, York City, Cambridge United, Kiddeminster Harriers are all down there to welcome us (plus Boston could well come up). All of which have been regular opponents for the Imps over the years. A few of these clubs have bigger fan bases than Lincoln so its not like last time when we were seen as the big fish in a small pond. Now its more like we would be one of a few medium fish with one or two big fish and about 6 or so smaller fish and maybe a few black and amber prawns snuffling along at the bottom of the fenlands of Lincolnshire.
Stadiums
Yes there are some stadiums in the Blue Square that are a tad run down and basic but lets be honest could they be any worse than the likes of Macclesfield, Accrington and Burton? Although we have been to over half of the grounds in the division there are far more new stadiums to visit unlike the handful of grounds i have left to visit in League Two, also the number of local matches would increase. Alfreton, Grimsby, Boston, and Mansfield all within an hour, while York and Darlington are both straight up on the mainline for us Retford based Imps. Cambridge was always a fun away trip as well. We would have a couple of London based clubs for Jolly boys days in the Capital so there is scope for a lads weekend away there. Yes the likes of Newport County and maybe Dover if they come up are a fair old trip but so are Torquay United and Plymouth.

Quality of football
Can it be any worse than what we have watched over the past few seasons? In a season where we have witnessed scorelines of 0-6,0-5,1-5 and 0-4 i fail to see how Blue Square football would be any worse than these "Performances". Most of the sides in there are now full time so its not as if we would be watching Lincoln v the Dog and Duck 2nd X1. Personally i would rather watch a tight win against say Tamworth (and i am not saying we would roll teams over every week, far from it) than a 0-6 smashing by Rotherham United.

Our standing in the football world.
In 87 it was tough to get any information about the Conference. Now its totally different. The scores get as much coverage on the likes of Soccer Saturday and the BBC's Final Score as the league ones do. Ok we wouldn't be in the league cup which would be a bit of a shitter but we do get the FA Trophy to have a go at and the chance to get a decent cup run for once. Another round of the FA Cup would have to be tackled but i would quite fancy a trip to Retford in the 4th qualifying round.
A big question that i can't really answer is would the crowds go down? After speaking to a few Mansfield and Grimsby fans i am sure the away fans numbers would drop off as some clubs only bring double figures of support for journeys of only a couple of hours which is shocking to people who have been use to league away followings. Obviously the local clubs would bring many many more.
As for our Imps i really dont know. I would go without fail and will be renewing my season ticket within the next week or so. Lincoln have a hard core of about 3,000 so i would expect most of that core to still be at the bank. I know plenty have said that they wont attend if we drop down but after a summer of no football, and the excitement as the pre season friendlies start up again and the recall of the squad begins i am sure so would come round and be back at the Bank next season. Once a Imp always an Imp as they say!

Could it be a springboard?
The likes of Carlisle, Doncaster, Shrewsbury, and Exeter City have all bounced back from relagation and are now far stronger for it. Not all went up straight up away but re built over a period of time. If we were to go down it would take a while to get back but there is no reason why we couldn't get back at somepoint. Yes a few have dropped further down still but the likes of Halifax and Boston now appear to be on the up on a much sounder footing than they had been previously.

In closing i would like to say that in no way shape or form do i want to see Lincoln relegated and i would be well pissed if we did. But whatever happens we will still have a club to watch and matches to enjoy. So lets get our tin hats on and start battling away!! There are more twists and turns to take yet my friends.