Football Season Guide

Last season was a season too far for Lincoln City, who flirted with relegation for the first time in over a decade. Michael Appleton had clearly over-achieved with the resources at his disposal having guided them to the League One play-off final in 2021 and a repeat was never on the cards after a poor start to the last campaign. It got worse as his small squad was hit by a succession of injuries and there were real concerns about relegation before they eventually finished 12 points above the drop zone. Appleton had had enough however and left in the summer to take over at Blackpool. Rookie Mark Kennedy has been appointed as his successor and has been busy adding to his squad during the close season. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth will spend the next season on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion and has lots of potential. He had raided Bradford City for centre-back Paudie O’Connor and winger Charles Vernam and looked to his native Ireland for the capture of midfield playmaker Danny Mandriou from Shamock Rovers. Several influential loan players have returned to their parent clubs whilst the departures of full-back Cohen Bramall and midfielders Conor McGrandles and Liam Bridcutt are a big blow. Bridcutt was hugely influential but missed most of last season through injury. Centre-backs Adam Jackson and Joe Walsh remain despite having also missed large parts of the season through injury and keeping them fit will be just one of Kennedy’s many challenges this season.