Capacity: 10,300 (all seated)
Address: Sincil Bank Stadium, Lincoln, LN5 8LD
Telephone: 01522 880 011
Fax: 01522 880 020
Ticket Office: 01522 880011
Pitch Size: 110 x 73 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: The Imps
Year Ground Opened: 1895
Undersoil Heating: No
Shirt Sponsors: SRP Hire Solutions
Away Shirt Sponsors: APSS
Kit Manufacturer: Errea
Home Kit: Red, White and Black
Away Kit: Grey & Blue
Co-op Community Stand
Lincolnshire Echo Stand
Stacey West Stand
Bridge McFarland Stand
Looking Towards The Stacey West Stand
Family Stand
On one side is the large all-seater Co-op Community Stand. This large single tiered covered stand opened in 1995 and has a capacity of 5,700. Opposite is the Selenity Stand, a small old looking covered stand (although in fact, it is comparatively modern being built in 1987). It is seated, but only runs half the length of the pitch, straddling the halfway line and hence there are gaps on either side. One gap has now been partly filled by a tiny covered Family Stand. Both ends are small covered affairs. The Bridge McFarland Stand is all seated and has a row of executive boxes running across the back. This stand has a couple of supporting pillars at the front. The other end is the 'Stacey West' all seated, covered stand, for home supporters. It was named in memory of the two Lincoln supporters who lost their lives in the Bradford City Fire at Valley Parade in 1985. Unfortunately, this stand is normally only open for games where a larger than normal attendance is expected.
The Club have been granted planning permission to expand the capacity of the Stacey West Stand to 3,400. Currently, the capacity of this stand is 1,944 and this is normally split between home and away supporters. Rather than building an entirely new stand, the existing stand will be extended upwards and backward and will include new concourse areas for both home and away fans. The Club have also mentioned that depending on what division they are in, that they may include rail seating, making a safe standing area, for the extension as shown below. The Club are now looking for a construction partner to undertake the project and no timescales have been published as to when this might happen.
The Proposed Expanded Stand
The image above is courtesy of Lincoln City FC.
Away fans are normally located on one side of the Stacey West Stand (towards the Selenity Stand) at one end of the ground, where just over 1,000 fans can be accommodated. Where the away following is expected to be less than a couple of hundred, then away fans are housed in the small family stand and a block of the Bridge McFarland Stand, in the South East corner of the stadium.
The Stacey West Stand is a covered, all seated stand, generally has good views of the playing action, although it does have a couple of supporting pillars at the front of the stand that could affect your view, especially if your team has a very large following and you are unable to move seats. This stand is shared with home supporters with the obligatory 'no-mans land' in-between. This makes for a good atmosphere, further aided by the good acoustics of the stand is very good, meaning that even relatively few travelling fans can really make some noise. It is sometimes shared with home fans that further helps boost the atmosphere. The facilities are also okay and food on offer inside includes a range of Pukka Pies; All Steak, Chicken & Mushroom, Beef & Onion, Cheese & Potato (all £3.10), Sausage Rolls (£2.50), Cheeseburgers (£5 1/2 lb, £4 1/4 lb), Burgers (£4.80 1/2lb, £3.80 1/4lb), and Hot Dogs (£3.70).
I had an enjoyable day at Lincoln. There is generally a good atmosphere inside the ground, with plenty of noise being created by the local home supporters. Although the drummer in the home section and noise of an air raid siren being sounded, each time Lincoln get a corner, can get a bit annoying after a while. The teams also emerge at the start of the game to the entrance music of the Dambusters theme tune.
Jason Adderley a visiting West Brom supporter adds; 'Lincoln's small band of fans are passionate about their team and are one of the friendliest bunches I've met on my travels. The atmosphere was great and the drums were rousing, leading the chants of the Lincoln supporters.'
There is a small fan zone located outside the stadium which is for both home and away supporters. It has a number of food outlets, some with local produce and beer is available too. Neil Le Milliere a visiting Exeter City fan adds; 'away supporters are admitted to the Supporters Club at the Club (called the Trust Suite) behind the South Park Stand'.
Otherwise, there are plenty of good pubs to be found if you head along the High Street towards the town centre. Close to Sincil Bank on the High Street is the Hop and Barley micropub. John Bennett a visiting Bristol Rovers supporter recommends the Golden Eagle, which is a Castle Rock Brewery pub. Whilst Jon Morley adds; 'The Wetherspoon's pub called 'The Ritz' serves reasonably priced food and ales'. If arriving by train then not far from the station is the Marina area, which has a number of eating and drinking places, including a Wetherspoons pub called the Square Sail. When trying to find the Marina area, just look out for the large Odeon Cinema building, which is also on the same complex. Also near to Lincoln Railway Station is the Treaty of Commerce. Beer is not on sale inside the ground in the away section.
Also near to Sincil Bank on Scorer Street is the handy 'Back of the Net' Fish and Chip Shop.
Lincoln is not the easiest place to get to, as it is not conveniently situated next to a motorway. I had great difficulty in finding the ground and two people that I asked for directions were unaware that Lincoln had a football team! However, I have been recently informed that the ground is now well signposted around Lincoln. Otherwise, follow the A46 into Lincoln (which leads onto the High St) and the ground is indicated from there. If you follow the signs for 'away coaches' then this leads you onto the A158 South Park Avenue, where there is plenty of street parking to be found (although it is a ten-minute walk around to the ground). Otherwise, the signs lead you to the ground,
There is no parking for away fans at the ground. Instead there nearby the South Common car park (LN5 8EN) which costs £4.
Lincoln Central Railway Station is around a 15 minute away from Sincil Bank. Turn 'left out of the train station and walk up to the traffic lights next to St. Mary's church. Turn left at these traffic lights onto the High Street, walking over the railway level crossing. Walk along the High Street (passing many good pubs) for approx 10 minutes before turning left into Scorer Street. Walk along Scorer Street until you come to a bridge across the Sincil Drain river. Turn right immediately after crossing the bridge onto Sincil Bank, the ground is straight ahead. Thanks to John Smalley for providing the directions.
Alternatively there is a shorter route (but you miss those fine pubs!): 'Come out of the station and turn right to go down the road. About 30 yards ahead on your right you will see some steps and a bridge over the railway. Go over the bridge and once on the other side follow the road down to the ground'. Thanks to Ben Schofield for providing these directions.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
All areas of the ground*
Adults £22
Over 60's/Under 22's £17
Under 18's £9
In addition, the Club offers family tickets (no discount for early purchase): 1 Adult + 1 Under 18 £26
* Fans who become Lincoln City Club Members can qualify for a discount on these prices.
Official Programme £3
Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town, Hull City, Grimsby Town, Peterborough and Boston United.
Lincoln City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)
If you require hotel accommodation in Lincoln then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Just input the dates below that you wish to stay and then select from the map the hotel of interest to get more information. The map is centered to the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in the City Centre or further afield.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Record Attendance
23,196 v Derby County
League Cup 4th Round, 15th November 1967.
Modern All Seated Attendance Record
10,264 v Sunderland
League One, 5th October 2019.
Average Attendance
2019-2020: 8,986 (League One)
2018-2019: 9,006 (League Two)
2017-2018: 8,782 (League Two)
Official Web Site:
Unofficial Web Sites:
The Forgotten Imp
Planet Imp (Footy Mad)
The Imps (Sport Network)
Vital Lincoln (Vital Football Network)
Lincoln Imps Message Board
Lincoln City v Burton Albion
League One
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Thomas Inglis (Visiting Dundee United Fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Another stadium added to my personal count of English Football League grounds - No.93.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I got the train from King's Cross London to Lincoln then followed this Guides' directions towards the ground with no problems.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had already eaten breakfast in London before leaving my wife there to shop. So on getting to Lincoln, I walked to the ground and picked up a ticket from the club shop, and walked around the stadium. I then went back to the High Street. for a few pints in 'The Treaty of Commerce', The Ritz and The Anchor. I chatted with fans of both teams and they were friendly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
This is quite an unusual ground as seen from the pictures on this website. I chose to sit in the Selenity Stand as this was more quirky, being almost as tall as it is wide and straddling the half way line. Across from this was the Co-Op Stand filled with home fans, which did run the full length of the pitch. To the right behind the goal were the few hundred Burton fans. I liked this ground, being quite a bit different from the usual.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A fine game for the neutral. Burton took the lead when Powell flicked in a low shot on 6minutes. Tom Hopper equalised when he popped in a square ball from close in about 15 minutes later. Powell then smashed in a cutback from Scully to put the Brewer's back in front. Hopper also got his second of the day 5 minutes before half time, slotting in Grant's set-up, this made it 2-2 at the break.
I had a chicken balti pie for £4 and a coffee £2 and enjoyed both. Facilities, stewards - no issues. The atmosphere from the 8,474 fans was great, both sets giving good noisy backing. Onto the second half and the Imps took the lead for the first time. About the hour mark when Morrell volleyed home. 10 minutes from time City's keeper Vickers made a great penalty save from Akins to ensure Lincoln secured the 3-2 victory.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem getting away from the ground and to The Millers Arms and The Anchor for a couple of beers and watching the teatime game. It's only around a 15/20 minute from the stadium to the train station.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great game, quirky stadium, good fans, lovely city. An enjoyable day out.
Lincoln City v MK Dons
League 1
Tuesday 11th February 2020, 7:45pm
Peter Williams (MK Dons)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Ground?
This my first visit to Sincil Bank. I am now up to 70 grounds visited of the current 72 EFL teams.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I arrived by the official coach and we were directed to park in a school next to the ground. Even though we could have been walked to the ground in about 30 seconds we were told by a steward to take a walk along the main road and then down an unlit alley which took about 15 minutes. This would prove a problem later on.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I visited the Travis Perkins Suite in the Fan Zone for a pint and something to eat. The beer was good and reasonably priced and whilst the chips were good they cost £3! Later on, a steward told me I should have visited a chippy nearby as they were better and cheaper. The home fans were fine and most of them wore their team colours, so it was quite colourful.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
The large stand which housed most of the home fans looked impressive but the other side looked weird with a small stand situated halfway alongside the pitch. Our stand was okay apart from a pillar blocking part of the pitch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
MK Dons scored after three minutes and dominated the next 15. Lincoln then scored a wonder goal and dominated us for the next period. The last 15 minutes of the first half was even-steven but overall it was a good game to watch. The second half was scrappy but on chances, MK Dons should have won but a point is a point. There was a good atmosphere with the home fans constantly cheering their team. Impressive. The stewards were friendly and whilst the toilets were large enough, they was no hot water and only one slightly warm air dryer.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A slow walk back to the coach and we were just about to leave when it was noticed we had an elderly man missing. To cut a long story short he had taken a wrong turn and was lost in Lincoln. Luckily thanks to mobile phones and Google Maps he was traced and told to stay put. Our driver refused to find him so some of the other fans on the coach walked to where he was and then back again. We finally left Lincoln over an hour later but at least the journey home was uneventful.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good evening out and I would visit again especially as I have since been told the burgers are the best in League 1. Sincil Bank is recommended for any away fan.
Lincoln City v Portsmouth
League One
Tuesday 28th January 2020, 7.45pm
John Twine (Portsmouth)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
It has 41 been years since I had last been to Lincoln, plus Portsmouth are on a really good run of form.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Straightforward. I stayed in the Premier Inn at the top of the hill nearby.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went in the home fans bar at the ground and found the fans in there very friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
As anticipated really. Pompey fans had the large end stand which had a good view. The other stands are each different and seemingly quite homely.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a bit of a stalemate in the first half but Pompey scored from a free kick on the stroke of half time. The atmosphere was good, with the home vocal fans on one side near to the away end, and we had nearly 1,200 fans which was very good for a cold Tuesday night in January. The Pompey fans were in great voice throughout. The stewards were friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy, but I decided to walk back the mile and a bit to the hotel, which is all uphill and has a steep gradient. Not for the unfit!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very enjoyable evening, and obviously very pleased with the result.
Lincoln City vs Tranmere Rovers
League 1
Saturday 14th December 2019, 3pm
Ben Castle (Tranmere Rovers)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I was looking forward to this game because it’s a ground I’ve never been before so another to tick off my list and another awayday.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the supporters coach which took about 3 hours to get to Lincoln however there was an issue on where we were supposed to park and it took 40 minutes until they could decide and hey off the coach.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I was planning to go into the Lincoln town centre but couldn’t as I didn’t have enough time because of the coach issue. I ended up going into the Lincoln fan zone and got a delicious traditional Lincolnshire hotdog. The home fans I encountered seemed really friendly like a family-friendly club.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Lincoln have one massive stand called the Co-op Stand then they’ve got a tall stand on the other side but doesn’t go the whole length of the pitch. They’ve also got a small goal end and then the Stacey West Stand which was shared with home and away fans. It’s a nice ground overall but could be in need of upgrading.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was quite even for the first half with Tranmere just having the upper hand. However, that stopped when we got a man sent off just before half time. Second half despite putting in the effort, it was obvious that Lincoln were the better side and eventually that paid off for them as they scored in the 77th min. We tried to get back into the game but Lincoln held on for the 1-0 win. The atmosphere from both sides was impressive especially Lincoln’s “617 squadron” which is basically their ultra group at the end of the Co-op Stand bouncing around and chanting the whole game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Normally the supporters coach is parked right outside the away stand but due to the parking issue I had to walk about 10 minutes to get around and get on the coach. The journey went smoothly arriving back in Birkenhead in just over 3 hours.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed my day out to Sincil Bank despite the result. I’ll definitely come back again.
Lincoln City v Fleetwood Town
League 1
Saturday 31st August 2019, 3pm
Christopher Smith (Fleetwood Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Thanks to camping trips and holidays, this was the first away game of the season that me and my brother were able to go to. This was Fleetwood's first game against Lincoln since a certain Jamie Vardy scored a brace in a 2-2 draw in the closing stages of the 2012 Conference season. Both teams have progressed considerably since then and have made decent starts to the League 1 season. I was hopeful of a decent game at a ground I'd never been to before.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
A straightforward journey with not too much to say really. We were on one of the supporters coaches which meant parking wasn't an issue but I didn't notice too much in the way of it in or near the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We were reliably informed of a pub called the Golden Eagle that had an outside marquee and a barbecue so we (meaning almost the entirety of the Fleetwood following) made for it and, after a bit of confusion, arrived after a 10 minute walk. I'd strongly recommend this pub for all away fans as the outside area was very spacious and could handsomely accommodate a large number of fans. I was reliably told by one of the staff that this is set up every home game with special events now and again. At first it was only Fleetwood fans in there but gradually the place filled up with home support, with home and away fans talking like old friends reacquainted. One of the stewards advised us not to drink in certain pubs that were for home fans, but I don't believe we'd have faced any hostilities anywhere. Lincoln fans were amongst the friendliest I've met, all happy to engage in conversation and were very welcoming.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I'm very keen on traditional grounds, so Sincil Bank straight away got the thumbs up from me. The home stands were each unique in design and all afforded good views of the pitch. However the away "end" wasn't the best. With us not taking a large number, we were given one section of the Bridge McFarland and the Lincoln University Stand (which is the smallest stand I've ever been in). I can see the financial benefits of moving smaller away attendances to this area but the facilities aren't the greatest and the view of the near touchline is hampered further up the pitch. It is probably the only area of the ground where I'd suggest development would need to be done. I've heard Lincoln are proposing a new ground entirely but I really don't think that is necessary and it would be quite a shame to lose another traditional ground that is still perfectly functional in the most part.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
So all good so far. Unfortunately, the game was pretty poor from a Fleetwood point of view. We had started off well enough and were in the ascendancy, but Lincoln scored against the run of play and doubled their lead not a minute after. From there on out we were poor, offering very little attacking threat despite needing to. There was far too much sideways and backward passing, so most of the 61% of possession was frustration. I must say though that Lincoln's game management was exceptional and even at this early stage of the season, I'd say they have enough organisation and solidity to get into the play offs at the very least. Very few teams will come away with a point from Sincil Bank this season, thanks in part to the passion and atmosphere created by the home fans. The Fleetwood fans made a good noise in our stand but when that Main Stand gets going, it really gets loud. The far corner was where the atmosphere started, but the rest of the stand quickly followed suit. It's certainly up there as one of the best atmospheres I've been to. As mentioned the facilities in our section were pretty basic but outside the ground was a number of food vans with things like kebabs, curries, and pasties on sale. We never had anything from here, but the food seemed well priced and I'd definitely sample some of it next time.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Again fairly straightforward, even when going through the centre of Lincoln. There wasn't much in the way of traffic, and we got home in less than 3 hours after setting off. The only thing of note on this journey was that we passed the Tranmere and Barnsley team coaches which were like double-deckered limousines compared to our coaches.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
After going on an away day and seeing your team lose with a pretty abject display, you can find yourself reluctant to go to that ground for a while. However Lincoln will definitely be on my "to do again" list. It was a cracking away day aside from the football, with very friendly home fans, a fab pre-match set up and a brilliant atmosphere. Even if our stand was on the small side with basic facilities, it certainly wouldn't put me off going again, and those with a large away following will probably enjoy it even more, as I'm sure the Stacey West's facilities are considerably better. I just hope that next time, the football game will be better.
Lincoln City v Everton
League Cup 2nd Round
Wednesday 28th August 2019, 7.45pm
George Farr (Everton)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
It was my first visit to Sincil Bank. I always like cup matches especially lower league grounds as they tend to have a better atmosphere.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was very easy. I travelled up from Essex via the M11, A14, A1 & A46. I used free on street parking. Just the other side of the Sincil Dike over the bridge there are streets with no parking restrictions although spaces are limited I did get one very quickly. This allowed for a very quick exit at full time to get back onto the A46.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went to the Royal William IV pub at Brayford Wharf which overlooks the Marina. Unfortunately, it was raining so we were inside but it had a great selection of ales and food menu.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I was impressed with the away facilities. We were given the whole end and plenty of catering and toilets. The views from the seats were also very good.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Excellent atmosphere. Lincolns support were very vocal but they do use a drum which is a bit irritating.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Very easy to get away from the ground not too far from the train station and car parking on streets gets you back onto the A46 & A1 very quickly. I got from Lincoln to Chelmsford in 2hrs 20 minutes after the game.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I really enjoyed my visit to Lincoln. The only frustration for me is that I was driving so couldn't drink. If I was staying over I'd have enjoyed it a lot more. Very impressed I'll definitely come back.
Lincoln City v Cheltenham Town
League 2
Saturday 13th April 2019, 3pm
Kev Dix (Cheltenham Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
It was my sons 13th birthday and whilst being away for the weekend with the family in Skegness we decided to attend the game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The ground was easy to find as it was signposted on entering Lincoln. I parked in one of the side streets which was easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the ground due to our late arrival at Lincoln.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
The first impression of the ground was okay. Although due to the nature of the game the away fans were put in the small Family Stand, in a corner of the ground. It was set back alongside the Main Stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was good with a 1-1 draw being a fair result. The atmosphere was good as Lincoln would gain promotion if other results went there way. The stewards were friendly enough. The only drawback was with the Family Stand being in the corner and set back, we were constantly asking the stewards to move members of the Lincoln staff back as they were standing in an area by the tunnel blocking the view of 50% of the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was very easy to get away from the ground as most of the home fans stayed behind to celebrate their promotion.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Apart from having a very restricted view of the game, it was an enjoyable day.
Lincoln City v Stevenage
League Two
Saturday 16th February 2019, 3pm
Jim Pedley (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I only live 60 miles from Lincoln but I’ve only been there once in my life, and that was in 1991. As Lincoln were top of League two, I was hoping for a good game!
Welcome To Sincil Bank Lincoln City
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We went early, on the train. A 15 minute journey from Wakefield to Doncaster, then the 10.24 direct train to Lincoln, which took about 45 minutes. A lovely easy trip, then a 15 minute walk in the sun, to Sincil Bank.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We had hospitality tickets, so headed for the Legends Lounge, which we arrived at before 12.30. It was a nice bar with no queues. We then enjoyed a free tour of the stadium and then a fantastic two-course meal by 2pm. Then we took our padded seats in Co-op Stand and had a great view!
The Co-op Stand
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
The stadium tour was a bonus. The stadium looks lovely in the sun! Lincoln City doesn’t need a new stadium. They just need a new stand to replace the small Selenity Stand on one side.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a very nice hospitality lounge. The fan zone outside looks good too but I didn’t visit it. No problems with staff and stewards. Great atmosphere but poor football, apart from some cracking goals! The match finished 2-2.
Selenity Stand
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Being in hospitality means post-match beer and player interviews. We stayed until about 6pm so no trouble getting away!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Treat yourselves to hospitality! At only fifty quid per person, this was brilliant!
Lincoln City vs Mansfield Town
League 2
Saturday 24th November 2018, 1pm
Jack Richardson (Mansfield Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I always enjoy a trip to Lincoln and we hadn't lost at Sincil Bank in 13 years! Our last three visits in the league had resulted in a last minute goal for us so previous visits had always been enjoyable! It was also 2nd vs 5th. I don't really see Lincoln as rivals but it's a local game none the less.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Mansfield to Lincoln is around 35 miles so the simple way there would be to drive however we opted for the train so we could have a drink and enjoy the day a little bit more. We left Mansfield at 8am, changed at Nottingham and arrived into Lincoln shortly after 10am. I've driven to Lincoln before and there is plenty of street parking along the High Street and streets off to the sides.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We headed to the 'away' pub which was the Square Sail Wetherspoons on the waterfront, a 5 minute walk from the station and a 15 minute walk from the stadium. It was full of Mansfield fans and a heavy police presence outside. I didn't encounter any homes fans, I would assume they were occupying the pubs along the High Street.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Sincil Bank Stadium?
I quite like Sincil Bank, we've had a couple of different views on previous visits, we have been on the end of the Co-Op Stand and also the Stacey West Stand. We were back in the Stacey West stand for this visit, views are good despite a few pillars running across the stand and you can make quite a bit of noise.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game wasn't great, it was a cagey affair between two good sides, Lincoln took the lead with 10 minutes to go, ex Mansfield man Matt Green providing the assist. Mansfield levelled with 1 minute to go, Jacob Mellis smashing home from 20 yards to send the sold-out away end into chaos. Stewards were a little fussy, insisting on allocated seating, this lasted all of 5 minutes before I think they gave up and allowed us to sit/stand where we wanted. The atmosphere was good, Lincoln (due to their recent success) have pulled the crowds back to Sincil Bank and fair play to them however it would be interesting to see if the 'new fans' stick with them if they did have a few mid-table finishes.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was busy due to the large crowd, a large police presence down each of the side streets and all the way up to the train station. The home and away fans shared this route with no issues and we were on the train within 15 minutes of leaving the stadium.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
An excellent day out and an excellent point! Lincoln as an away day has it all, plenty of parking, plenty of pubs, train station and a decent stadium. Will be back next year (hopefully a League 1 fixture).
Lincoln City v Mansfield Town
Checkatrade Trophy Group Stage
Tuesday 4th September 2018, 7.45pm
Steven Maddison (Mansfield Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
My first ever away game with Mansfield Town and I took my nephew with me. There is a bit of a rivalry between the clubs as well.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We went on the Mansfield Town supporters coach so it was relax all the way to the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Once the coach pulled up we were greeted by a Lincoln City representative who pointed out where everything was. We had an hour to go before kick off so we went to the fan zone, in our colours. There was a stall selling massive hotdogs for £4 which I was happy to pay. We mingled around the stadium for a bit then made our way to the away stand. No problems at all with the home fans and the stewards were very friendly and helpful.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Sincil Bank is a strange but also a decent looking stadium. The Main Stand is big and this is where most the home fans were sat. Opposite the Main Stand is the Family Stand which just sits by itself on the half way line instead of running the length of the pitch. Our stand was basic but covered from the elements but leg space was a bit of a squeeze when I sat down.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was played like a local derby with hard tackles going in. Lincoln City took the lead and I feared the worst but Mansfield equalised shortly after. Mansfield ended up 2-1 winners which made us very happy. Just over 4,000 were there which was good for a Checkatrade group match but also meant the stadium was only less than half full. Still, a decent atmosphere especially in the away end, after the second goal went in.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Straight back on the coach and was back in Mansfield in just over an hour with no problems
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a brilliant day and can't wait to go back for a league match with a full stadium and full-strength teams.
Lincoln City v Exeter City
League Two Play-Off Semi Final First Leg
Saturday 12th May 2018, 3pm
Phil and Roo (Exeter City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
We had never been to Lincoln before, and after hearing that Sincil Bank was a nice ground and had a good atmosphere, then when the opportunity came to make the long trip to watch this play-off semi final, we jumped at it.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was fairly straightforward. However, the final five miles into and afterwards the five miles out of Lincoln were very slow moving. We parked on the side of a road less than half a mile away from Sincil Bank, but do note we arrived very early.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went to a nearby micropub called the Hop & Barley which was full of Lincoln supporters, all of whom were very friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
We were sat behind the goal in the Stacey West Stand, which other than a few view obstructing poles, was fairly comfortable. The rest of the ground was nice, with a very impressive Main Stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The 600+ Exeter fans made an incredible atmosphere and you could even say they outsung the 9,000 of Lincoln. The stewards seemed friendly and the loos were fairly standard. The game was very tight, either team could've grabbed a winner however it finished 0-0.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
There was quite a lot of traffic getting out of Lincoln but after that the journey home was straightforward.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
All in all, we had a good day out in Lincoln, saw a good game and experienced great atmosphere and the journey wasn't as horrific as expected.
Lincoln City v Wycombe Wanderers
League 2
Tuesday 17th April 2018, 7.45pm
Russell (Wycombe Wanderers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
An evening away game, a rarity for me these days, and the promise of a game at a packed ground, which I had heard good things of. Lincoln isn't far for me to travel either, from North West Leicestershire.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled by car with a friend, who was taking the task of driving us to Lincoln. The journey was fairly straightforward, little traffic worries, and arrived very early. We found a spot off the High Street to park up.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Had a wander into Lincoln city centre and then back towards the car. Stopped for a drink of coke and some food at The Ritz Wetherspoons. The home fans we encountered before the game were no trouble.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
We arrived at the ground just after 6-30pm. Had a look round, it wasn't initially well posted where we had to go for the away section, but found a map board at the far end, and then walked around the other side to reach the turnstiles. There was a strange mismatched look to the ground, but I think it adds to the charm of the place. The legroom did feel a little tight in the away end though, and of course, there was a supporting pillar slightly impeding the view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a bit poor, no lack of effort and grit displayed by both sides. Lincoln probably had the slightly better of it, but we dug in well and clung on for a point. The stewards seemed okay and the atmosphere generated by both sets of fans was fantastic.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground wasn't too bad, found our way back to car with ease and were back on the road home swiftly.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a hard-fought point for Wycombe, in a game that seemed destined to end anything but goalless. Sadly, my experience at Lincoln was spoilt by a tiny minority of home fans following the game, who were very disrespectful towards travelling supporters. I appreciate post match, feelings are running high, and that Wycombe are not a great watch at times, but the slightly intimidating and disrespectful attitude of a tiny few home fans on leaving the ground left a sour taste to my evening at Lincoln.
Lincoln City v Coventry City
League Two
Saturday 18th November 2017, 3pm
Frank Alsop (Coventry City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
I hadn't been to Sincil Bank before so another ticked it off the list. I was looking forward to the game as both sides were in reasonable form
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
An easy journey up the A46. I had already pre-determined that I was going to park at South Common which in itself lead to easy access to the ground (ten minutes walk away)
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I took a walk up the High Street to see what hostelries were available. The micropub called the Hop and Barley was empty so popped in there. Then made my way to Sincil Bank and went into the bar located at the ground. It was nice and friendly.
What you thought on seeing the g round, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Sincil Bank is a nicely laid out ground. Coventry had taken a huge following so the away end was packed with a superb atmosphere. Good views all around. The small "half" stand on one side looked a bit odd but the ground was mostly full.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere very good from both sets of supporters. The Lincoln fans obviously euphoric when they scored but that soon quietened down when City scored two in ten minutes in the second half. Facilities very basic and I didn't try the pies.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Very, very slow getting off South Common. Approximately 30 minutes. Once on the main roads though, the traffic moved fairly swiftly
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out with a nice banter between the fans and a great result.
Lincoln City v Mansfield Town
League Two
Saturday 16th September 2017, 1pm
Jack Richardson (Mansfield Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Sincil Bank?
We hadn't played Lincoln in a while since our conference days in fact and our previous three trips to Since Bank had led to last minute winners so I was quietly confident. Also, Lincoln's squad currently has 5/6 ex Mansfield players in it so was going to be interesting to see how they got on!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took the train from Mansfield, changed at Nottingham and onto Lincoln, the journey takes around 2 hours which meant a few pre match drinks were had (it's only 45 minutes away in the car!!). Having visited Lincoln many times, street parking is available and many city centre car parks are also around. The Sincil Bank ground is located within ten minutes walk of the Lincoln Central Railway Station, head out of the station, turn left, cross over the line and it's a straight 10 minute walk
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We were directed to the Square Sail, a Wetherspoons pub on the Marina, it was large inside and spread over 2 floors, it was the away pub so only Mansfield fans were present. Previous visits to Lincoln show there are plenty of pubs for visiting fans along the High Street.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Sincil Bank is a nice ground, on our previous visit we were housed in the Co-op Stand which runs the length of the pitch however away fans are now located in the Stacey West Stand which gives good views of the playing surface despite two pillars.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Lincoln hammered us for the first 45 minutes and should really have been 2 or 3-0 ahead, however we went into half time at 0-0. The ex- Mansfield playing contingent were relatively quiet which pleased the 1,400 travelling fans. The second half saw fans favourite Danny Rose came on and scored within two minutes of the restart, we then held on for a fantastic 1-0 win. The atmosphere from the Lincoln fans was excellent, 9,000+ in attendance, our last visit in the National League only around 2,500 bothered to turn up with over 1,000 of us so they have recruited fans well. It will be interesting to see how long these attendances stay at a high level for, I suspect a few mid-table finishes may lead to a sharp decline. Stewards very low key and friendly, Police generally handled it well and again were low key.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was long-winded. There was only one exit for 1,400 away fans which led to a delay. Outside there was a large police presence which in the end was needed to keep the Lincoln and Mansfield fans apart. If heading back to the station, turn left out of the away end, follow the terraced houses straight down and you will see the station on your left.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was another enjoyable day out at Lincoln, excellent atmosphere created by both sets of fans and three points for Mansfield. It's nice to have Lincoln back in the Football League.
Lincoln City v Carlisle United
Football League Two
Saturday 26th August 2017, 3pm
Phil Armstrong (Carlisle United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Sincil Bank?
After seeing Lincoln City go on a cup run last season and since this is the first time Lincoln have been back in the Football League, I thought this would be ideal to tick Sincil Bank off the list.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the supporters coach which handily parked next to the Sincil Bank ground and its bars.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a drink outside of the stadium before entering not venturing up to the High street which I was informed was actually not too far away.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Sincil Bank looks off balance and incomplete with the Family Stand being so small compared to the other stands which are more uniform. The seating was a little tight between rows but I have seen worse.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was not great to watch, with Carlisle playing Lincoln at their own long ball game. An Air raid siren was sounded from the home end when corners were taken, which should have probably rang alarm bells with our manager. But instead we stuck with the game plan and got beat 4-1. The food was okay with attentive staff serving. The stewards where almost invisible which I always think is a sign of a good job done.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The traffic busy was getting out of Lincoln but multiple ways out helped.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A little confused by the stadium design which I am still unable to tell if I liked it or not, air raid sirens though entertaining at the start got irritating as the game went on but that is why they are there. Poor result from our perspective, large home following almost a novelty at this level though very nice to see.
Lincoln City v Torquay United
National League
Friday 14th April 2017, 3pm
Cameron Forrest (Torquay United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank ground?
Starting the day with Torquay in the relegation zone and Lincoln sitting proudly on top of the league, the team needed all the support it could get, plus we seem to have a go against the teams at the upper end. Being Torquay fans based in the North-west Sincil Bank is do-able and being Good Friday was enough to convince us to go.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was easy enough for us coming from the North-west. We drove there via M62, M18, M180 and A15, following the sat-nav and a little back way in to Lincoln itself. Finding the Sincil Bank ground wasn't too bad, the city centre was a little busy but not too bad and we just had to keep a good eye out for Scorer Street (what a name to look out for on the way to the ground). Didn't see any signs for the ground driving through Lincoln but we had directions already. The ground is in the terraced streets and almost hidden until you get to it the way we drove up to it.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Before the game we queued for our tickets. A mix up in the week up to the game had Lincoln City telling us they had sent the tickets down to Torquay and Torquay denying all knowledge and saying we had to get them from Lincoln. We knew it would be a decent away crowd and had heard we only had 180 tickets or so as we were in the corner of the ground in half of the Bridge McFarland Stand, not in the regular Stacey West Stand. We waited for some coming up on the supporters coach from Torquay and then went into the ground. Outside the turnstile one o, the Lincoln fans came and said they could win the league with three wins and a draw and if they could give the points to anyone it would be us, so that was a nice touch. After the game most of the Lincoln fans gave us a warm well done or hard luck with most saying they hoped we could stay up.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Sincil Bank?
The Sincil Bank ground is one of the bigger grounds in the league, to be expected when you consider the range of clubs, some established Football League teams and some small clubs reaching new heights. It is at the end of a road really with the river behind the Co-Op Stand, we did a full lap of the ground looking for the turnstile as the lady in the ticket office wasn't 100% sure where the turnstiles for the away fans were as they weren't using the regular away stand for us. The Lincolnshire Echo Stand opposite the Co-Op Stand looks a bit out of place, it straddles the half way line with the small Uni-Imps stand next to it but breaks up the feel of the ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was exciting - it was a tight game really but with Torquay showing good spirit and holding their own against the top of the league, having had that excellent FA cup run and having beat us early on in the season at Plainmoor 1-2. We went 1 up but couldn't hold on going down 2-1 again in the end in the last 8 minutes. The atmosphere in the ground was good, attendance was over 9,000 with 188 away fans, filling our allocated space. We had a catering van for refreshments in the ground - I only had a brew but quite a few had something to eat, burgers, hot dogs and chips all available and looked decent enough. Biggest gripe though was that the walkway between the front row and the pitch was as busy as a High Street - there must have been some club offices based in the stand we were in as club officials, catering assistants, visitors and seemingly anybody else who fancied it were walking back and to in front of us all match, blocking the view form the first few rows of seats. Stewards did there jobs well enough and gave us no problems.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was very easy. We had parked on the street around the ground, so two minutes back to the car and straight away from the ground, through Lincoln that was quieter than on the way in and back to the A15. Just need to make a good mental note on the way in as there were a few turns to make to get back to the main roads.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good day out at Sincil Bank, spoiled only by the result! The Torquay team showed some fight that had been lacking much of the year and always seem to play better against the top end of the league. Easy enough to get to the ground, shame about the corner of the stand we were given and the constant traffic walking past, but appreciate Lincoln have done this to maximise their home support.
Lincoln City v Chester
National League
Tuesday 11th April 2017, 7.45pm
Phil Graham (Chester fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Sincil Bank?
I had only been to Sincil Bank before for a Pre-Season Friendly against Nottingham Forest some 20 years ago. And there's something special about following your team on a long midweek away trip.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled up on Train from London Kings Cross via Peterborough.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a pint and something to eat in The Ritz, which is a Wetherspoons pub located on the High Street. I also called into the Club Bar at the Sincil Bank Ground, which wasn't that busy considering the 7,400 crowd. The game was strangely All Ticket? Not sure why they felt the need to make it All Ticket when they haven't sold out a league game all season.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Sincil Bank?
As Chester had only sold 97 tickets we were put in a corner of the Bridge McFarland Stand behind the goal. Food was usual standard fair. I had a Burger and Bovril which was expensive at £6.20.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Lincoln won a fairly even game 1-0 with a first half goal. The referee sent one player off from each side, neither of them were warranted in my opinion. The Lincoln crowd was outstanding all night and never stopped singing although you do wonder were they were earlier in the season when they only got 2500 for a game v Southport in August.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy exit after the game and found my pre-booked Taxi (costing £28.70) to Newark Northgate Station and made my 23:07 Train to London Kings Cross. I was then in plenty of time to catch the night bus from there and was back home at 2am.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good night although I was disappointed not to win of course. It was a great atomsphere created by the Lincoln Supporters and it will be interesting if they can maintain it next season in League Two if they aren't winning every week like they currently are in the National League.
Lincoln City v Ipswich Town
FA Cup Third Round Replay
Tuesday 17th January 2017, 8.05pm
John Hague (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Ground?
I had planned to go to watch the mighty Blyth Spartans at Skelmersdale (would have been a new ground) but Lincoln Spartan, Mark Hall had secured me a ticket for this replay and I think I, like thousands of Lincoln fans, smelled blood.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I traveled over from Leicester by car and despite rush-hour traffic I was there within an hour. I was advised by Lincoln Spartan to park on the A15 by The South Commons. I found a spot within 10 minutes walk of Sincil Bank.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a arranged to meet Lincoln Spartan in The Hop and Barley Micropub on High Street very close to the ground. A very small place but even on a busy matchday it was okay. A great selection of beers and ciders... just dont use the F, C, or S word - Carling, Fosters or Stella. The Back Of The Net Chippy is recommended, they had a reduced but perfect matchday menu to turn punters around quickly. I had battered sausage, chips and curry for £3.20. Excellent value.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Ground?
It's been a long time since I visited Sincil Bank but it's a homely place, sadly all seated these days. Clearly the old ground was redeveloped after the Bradford disaster and the Stacey West Stand is named in honour of the two Lincoln fans who lost their lives on that awful day. A lovely touch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
At £10 a ticket the ground was full and there was a great cup atmosphere. It was clear that everyone apart from the travelling Ipswich fans smelled a giant-killing. Before kick-off there was an emotional minutes applause for club legend, Graham Taylor. One fan told me he didn't win in his first 11 games... you wouldn't get that time today and thankfully Lincoln City gave him a chance. Lincoln were at a very poor Ipswich Town from the kick off, though Ipswich were first to have an attempt on goal. Every touch from Ipswich captain, Berra, was roundly cheered as he seemed to shank most balls into the crowd. As extra-time looked inevitable Danny Cowley threw on Adam Marriott on for Theo Robinson and he really was the difference. An lovely turn of pace and direction and a sublime pass put Arnold in on goal and he coolly finished before the ground erupted in joy.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As I had parked away from the ground I dropped off Lincoln Spartan and took the back roads over to the A46 and was home in under an hour.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great night out. FA Cup football under the lights has a magic that really can't be beaten... I really feel sorry for the armchair fans who never get to experience a proper cup upset.
Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 30th July 2016, 3pm
Ian Bradley (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Having not visited Sincil Bank since the mid 1970's and it being a nice Summers afternoon, I fancied a day out in the beautiful city of Lincoln.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey by train from my home in Rotherham took about a hour and a half. Sincil Bank was then a picturesque 20 minute walk along the riverbank to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I visited a gem of a Chippy called back of the net Chippy near the ground where a very generous portion of Chicken & Mushroom Pie, Chips & gorgeous mushy peas set me back a very reasonable £4.20 and was very welcome. The locals were extremely welcoming and chatty and seemed very optimistic about the coming season.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
Sincil Bank is a lovely ground that is geared up for the clubs ambition to return to the Football League. All seated with unrestricted views and a more than adequate, covered away end.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Catering was the usual overpriced football ground fayre. National League Lincoln overpowered their Football League opponents and scored three good goals in the opening half hour. Lincoln continued to be the better side and ran out very comfortable 3-0 winners.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problems getting away and a another pleasant walk back to Lincoln Railway Station.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Really enjoyed the day, Lincoln is a really lovely City, the ground is nice, locals friendly so every box ticked.
Lincoln City v FC Halifax Town
National League
Saturday 26th December 2015, 3pm
Michael Cromack (FC Halifax Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Sincil Bank Ground?
To fill an otherwise boring Boxing Day at home and another new ground for me to visit.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
About an hour, little traffic due to the bank holiday. Parked at a large car park at the railway station and 10 - 15 minutes walk to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Took the wife along, a cold day, had a quick walk into town, a quick drink and then on to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Sincil Bank Stadium?
A bright, spacious and pretty ground. The away end all seated which was a little unusual for a non-league club.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A good entertaining game 1 goal settling it which town just about deserved. Nice touch from the town manager and players going to the away end at the final whistle to show their appreciation of our vocal support.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Called for a meal at a Wetherspoons on the way back. We enjoyed a spectacular view of the lit-up cathedral from the road back into town, and an hour back home.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
3 precious points gave me a little bit of optimism for pulling away from the drop zone (alas we were relegated on the last game of the season) and another ground ticked off.
Lincoln City v Grimsby Town
Conference National League
Saturday 29th August 2015, 3pm
Blakey (Grimsby Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Sincil Bank ground?
It was derby day! Hopefully revenge would be ours from last season. We knew we were taking around 1,800 fans, so was expecting a great atmosphere and hoping for bragging rights. Lincoln had a good recent record against us though.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was fine - we're only an hour up the road. We parked in a multi-storey car park located near the Marina. We had arrived in good time to have a walk around the ground. Sincil Bank is quite hard to see from a distance, as the streets are built up pretty high as you approach the ground from the away end. But it was pretty obvious where to go as there were many home and away fans walking in the same direction and the police presence got greater. Obviously there was a big police prescience for this game as it was a local derby and also as we (Grimsby) had sold out our away allocation. We'd been before so it wasn't too hard to remember where to head.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the ground, which was about a 15 minute walk (as we'd expected) from where we had parked. The pubs we passed were all quite busy, so we thought we'd just get to the ground. It was neither friendly, nor unfriendly. We felt quite relaxed, but excited as the derby day atmosphere was building.
What you thought on seeing Sincil Bank, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Getting through the turnstiles was pretty quick and the stewards were pleasant and efficient without being over-friendly. I was given a quick patting-down by a plump and jolly female right before the entry gate, to check I wasn't sneaking any cyanide or tarantulas in with me. I quite enjoyed it. The away end (the Stacey West Stand) is a basic, decent-sized old stand, all seating with a block of toilets and a few food stalls between the stand and the turnstiles. In the toilets only half of the taps had water, but the urinals were fairly clean and there was plenty of them which meant there wasn't huge queues, unless you also wanted to wash your hands afterwards.
It's not the best of views from the Stacey West Stand, as the view is fairly restricted from a lot of the stand, but the atmosphere was good. There were a couple of old, small stands to our left and at the other end that were two of the quietest stands I've ever seen/heard. But to our right, was the Community Stand, which is a quite impressive stand for this level of football - be good for them if they could fill it! The atmosphere was building all day and we were in good voice and optimistic we'd get a result. It was our local rivals. Lincoln City also had ex-Grimsby players amongst their ranks and had also beaten us last time out - adding to the occasion. There was no alcohol served in the away end. A shame for us who can handle our drink without going daft, but understandable - especially on days like this.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The burger I bought at the ground was good. Overpriced - but only what you expect at a game. It was £3.50, which is I suppose typical. Service was very quick, but with a grunt in most cases. Though there was one very pleasant girl that served me, so I guess it depends who you got. Bottled water was £1.50. It came from the fridge, but the lid was taken off. They weren't allowed to leave the lid on apparently, in case as it was subsequently used as a missile!
Grimsby started the game well and had a few chances, but couldn't find the back of the net. However after half an hour, we found ourselves with 10 men on the field and 1-0 down, after Josh Gowling was red carded (although at the time we couldn't figure out why) and the subsequent penalty was scored by Lincoln. This led to growing frustration and hostility from our end, though mostly aimed at the referee. At this point we thought the game had been ruined, as a contest, as is often the case with a sending off. But we continued to be the better team and Bogle equalised midway through the second half. We probably should've won as we continued to create chances, but also we could have lost it near the end, so a draw in the circumstances wasn't bad.
The stewards were fine. It was a derby with the usual tension and some moments when it threatened to boil over. We brought a lot of fans, so they were on their toes but there was no heavy-handedness or anything too strict. After the penalty incident, when the atmosphere got a little tense, there was a police presence inside the ground too, but they didn't have to act.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Through the turnstiles we were met with a cordon of Police. Some fans were being held back by the Police line, but we got through relatively quickly. Those that were held back seemed to be in accordance with the Police demands and the crowds seemed to disperse safely without incident. Looked like the car traffic was slow-moving getting away from the ground and surrounding streets, but we were on foot back into town. There was again a heavy Police presence, with groups dotted about near each corner, but we never saw any trouble. Both sets of fans kept out of each others way from what we saw and we had a generally unworried stroll back into town. The only concern we had was whether we'd paid enough on our parking ticket to stop and sample an ale before we set off and luckily we had.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
We had a great day. There was a fantastic atmosphere, a fairly good game and a good result with ten men for most of the game. It was a good spirited display against the odds that us away fans all appreciated.
Lincoln City v Woking
Conference Premier League
Tuesday, December 4th 2012, 7.45pm
James Harden (Woking fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
To be honest I was only using up holiday from work! I attend most Woking home matches in the Blue Square Premier League, and only the odd away game. But I thought “I have a few days of leave from work left before year end, is there a midweek away game for Woking coming up that I could attend?”. Having checked the fixtures, this one stood out, so I got the all-important permission from the missus and checked with my Woking supporting pal to see if he was interested (he was), and then we booked ourselves on the Woking Supporter’s coach for the trip (£21 for supporter’s trust non-members, £16 for members). A right billy bargain we thought! This then became even cheaper, as Lincoln announced a week or two before the game that they were going to offer reduced price admission for the match, with prices tumbling from £18 on the night (£16 in advance) to a mere fiver. Christmas had come early!
We did, however, have slight second thoughts about going to the match as, on the Saturday before the fixture, Woking had been humbled 7-0 by Hyde, and were on a bad run of form, and we didn’t ideally want to go all that way (approx. four hours by coach) for another heavy defeat. In the end though, we were glad we made the effort!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We came on the supporter’s coach, so this was easy. The coach left Woking at about 2pm and, with a 40 minute stopover at Peterborough services, we arrived at Sincil Bank at around about 6.15pm, in plenty of time for the kick off, with the coach parking in the ground car park, behind one of the stands. Simple.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
On arrival at the ground we went straight to the bar in the South Park Stand (known as the Trust Suite) with pretty much all the other fans on the coach, a whopping 13 of us in total. We had a couple of pints of beer and ordered some food from the bar, despite a couple of fans we spoke to in the queue advising us to go to the local chippy for eats instead! This actually turned out ok, and wasn’t too pricey at all, if a little unconventional (chicken tikka and chips anyone?), and was quite warming on a cold night. The bar was pretty busy and everyone there seemed friendly enough.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
It was a good looking ground, it felt like a ‘proper’ football stadium, being mostly all-seater and having a couple of fairly sizeable stands. It was my first away trip of the season and was better than every ground we visited on our travels in the Blue Square Bet South last year (not too hard this though)!
For the match, we were in one corner of the large Co-Op Community Stand, I think there were 60 odd Woking fans in total. From here we had a decent enough view of the pitch, and had our own entrance and food and drink facilities, as well as toilets.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was cracking, from a Woking fan’s point of view! As mentioned, we came here on the back of a 7-0 mauling, so didn’t expect a lot out of the game, but we were thankfully in for a treat! An early penalty led to us going one up and, to be fair, the match itself was pretty even (if not the most entertaining of encounters).
We managed to double our lead just after the hour, and then held on for a 2-0 victory, well worth the trip! Whether Lincoln had one eye on a potential FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool, I don’t know, but we weren’t going to complain!
The atmosphere was great, too, with a lot of banter between both sets of fans. The Woking supporters were in full voice throughout, and we were louder than the Lincoln followers (and their band) for a lot of the time. One Woking fan did get ejected towards the end of the game, but I don’t know what this was for, I guess for being a bit too over enthusiastic?!
The stewards were great overall, particularly towards one of our fans. He’d come on the coach with us, but wasn’t really prepared for the cold and rain, and was getting more than a little wet! A kindly steward loaned him her woolly hat and fetched him a blanket, which I thought was a really nice touch, to be applauded.
We had a half time Pukka Pie, too (Chicken Balti), which we’d read about on this website, and this was quite tasty, well recommended!
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Just as with our arrival at the ground, this was straightforward too, as the coach was parked where it had been left, behind one of the stands, not far from where we’d watched the match. We all got on and took our seats, and went on our merry way.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall we had a cracking (if long) day out. We left Woking at 2pm and returned home at approx. 1.30am in the morning, with the all-important three points in the bag.
On reflection, it might’ve been nice to have gone to Lincoln under own steam so we could have explored the city a little, but this wasn’t to be, and I would still recommend anyone to go to Sincil Bank, as it was a nice ground with a proper football ground vibe about the place.
Lincoln City v Tamworth
Conference Premier League
Saturday, March 31st 2012, 3pm
Scot Rowland (Tamworth fan)
1. Why were you looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Having lived in Lincoln for two years and not living far from Sincil Bank I always hoped that they would drop into the Conference for the opportunity to see Tamworth face them, and although I now live in Ipswich I was still looking forward to visiting the city again and the ground.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking:
My journey from Ipswich was as I expected. I left Ipswich at 05:30 on a rail replacement coach to Stowmarket, then the train to Peterborough and after a quick change arrived in Lincoln at 10:01. Finding the ground was easy for me having lived in Lincoln but its pretty much a straight run using either of the very good directions on the guide, although you don’t pass any pubs using the Sincil Drain route.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy. Home fans friendly:
Before the game we went to The Ritz Wetherspoons on the High Street just five minutes walk from the station and then to the Walkabout which is on the High Street walking in the opposite direction from the stadium, which is good for a quiet drink as its quiet early in the morning. Then we headed for the Brayford Waterfront and The Square Sail which is a Lloyds Bar that is always doing a good trade and has the added bonus of having a very nice view of Brayford Pool. We also took in the two Uni bars The Shed (very apt for us as we stand in The Shed at The Lamb) and Tower Bar which are located on the main University campus and are very cheap. We didn’t come across any Lincoln fans on the day.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of the away end and other sides of the ground:
Having been to Sincil Bank on a few occasions I lost out on that new ground feeling. But the first thing you notice is the size of the Lincolnshire Co-op Stand, It is quite large and towers over the rest of the stadium, away fans are located in this stand and it does have very good views of the action. The rest of the stadium is a bit of a miss match, The Lincolnshire Echo stand straddles the half way line and looks a bit worn and has Poachers Corner a small covered family stand next to it. Behind the near goal is the GoCar Stand with few rows of seats in front of a row of executive boxes. Opposite that is the Stacey West Stand a fair size seated stand, the ground does have a certain charm to it with the Tamworth fans. It’s somewhat of a Marmite stadium; some hate it and some love it.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets ect..
Lincoln dominated the game from start to finish, and the result never looked in doubt. Tamworth struggled from the off and Lincoln took the lead after only 7 minutes when Bore fired in after Tamworth failed to clear. Lincoln continued to press and got a second when Danny Thomas diverted a cross into his own net. Scotty Barrow tried his luck from distance for the Lambs but apart from that we had no real chances of note.
The second half continued in the same vein and Lincoln were awarded a penalty and Power smashed it home. The Imps continued to press and completed the rout when Thomas deflected another cross in for his second own goal of the afternoon which summed up Tamworth’s performance and fortunes. The atmosphere was ok in parts the Lincoln fans tried to make a bit of noise and had their obligatory air raid sirens, the Tamworth fans tried to rally their team for large parts to no avail. The stewards were fine and the space around the food outlet and toilets are good allowing easy passage. The food served was average but not great and a tad pricey.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Having managed to endure 80 minutes we left early so getting away from the ground was fine, although I could see with a decent crowd it could get a bit manic in the small streets around the stadium.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I love Lincoln as a city it’s a nice mix of the old and the new under the backdrop of the Cathedral. The day was fantastic with some very good bars and real ale pubs with a good atmosphere but as has been the case Tamworth blotted the day with an inept display. I’d recommend a visit to Lincoln and will definitely return I just hope that The Lambs can put in a better performance.
Lincoln City v Torquay United
League Two
Saturday, August 14th 2010, 3pm
Mark Horler (Torquay United fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
It is not often you can say you are going away because Torquay United are "top of the league", but after only one game of the new season it was true!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Away games in August up north are never easy for Torquay United fans. The trick is to leave early anough to avoid the 9am to 10am congestion that happens every Saturday around Bristol during the holiday period. A 7am start was a must for the 500 mile round trip. In the main the journey is easy, but do not underestimate the last 60 miles on A roads, which will take around 90 minutes as much of it is 40mph speed limits. Thankfully we saw today that much of rural Lincolnshire is being dug up to make the A46 dual carridgeway. Days like today make all the environmental concerns pale into insignificance and the opening of the new road will make journeys to Lincoln from the South so much easier. Parking was really easy in side streets. The ground is close to the town centre and a fair few of the paultry 3,000 crowd seemed to walk to the match. Priced parking was available in a nearly field but not necessary to use.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
Lincoln is a friendly town. The people are nice and genuine and true football supporters. We saw several Nottingham Forest shirts, they were playing Sunday, showing some "floating support". The ground is close to the town centre, near enough to walk and perhaps visit the impressive looking cathedral, which dominates the city centre. We found a really friendly chippy near the entrance to the ground. It was interesting to see a couple of "posh" coffee stalls outside the ground selling more than your KwikSave instant. There were the usual host of volunteers selling 50:50 tickets, programmes etc and everyone of them bid us a cheery hello. Good to see and sadly lacking at most grounds nowadays.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Sincil Bank is unusual for a league 2 ground in that you can walk around it's entireity. Great views of the cathedral from behind the co-op stand, and indeed to your left once inside. The club clearly have a lot of land and expansion would be very easy if necessary. However the grounds biggest fallback is that with a capacity of over 10,000 seats in 5 stands, the fans are spread thinner than Marmite.
The atmosphere is very poor. This is a pity as the Imps fans do try their best to create atmosphere, but the stands are very open and any sound generated "drifts away". We were placed in one block of the Co-op stand. Decent facilities, a good view but very much "on our own". To our right was a small seated stand with executive boxes above. Very dated with no outside seats for "the suits" and there were no more than 100 poor soles in this stand. In front of us was the main stand. Large, tall and quite impressive and of unusual structure. It appears very steep. A tiny "family" stand to the right had barely 30 people in. Behind the other goal was where the majority of the singing Lincoln fans sat (well stood). As far as possible away from the away fans. Banners and flags decorate this stand. It was nice to see a banner dedictaed to Keith Alexander here. Some of Lincolns singing support sat as close to us in the Co-op stand as it was possible to get, but still miles away from us.
This was a pity with so little atmosphere despite the best efforts of the two sets of fans, perhaps the club should be a little less worried about segregating fans as if they were playing Leeds or Millwall! One point of note is that concession tickets must be purchased in the club shop before the game. If you have children in your group it is worth allowing a little more time. In addition if you are 100% sure you can make the game, tickets are £1 or £2 cheaper if purchased via the club shop in the week before the game. This includes away fans
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The stewards were a laid back bunch. You wan't to put your flags up "no problem" You wan't to stand up the whole match "no problem" In fact it was the first football match I have been to where every one of the stewards I saw was actually watching the match! Catering was far too expensive, and I noticed how little food and drinks our supporters purchased in comparison to other away days....and no pasties! Oh the game! Torquay won 2-0. Never really got into gear and never had to as Lincoln did not really turn up. We were surprised to hear on Radio Lincoln that their managers thought they were unlucky. I have rarely seen a league two team with such little firepower and feel it will be a long hard season for the Imps.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
So easy, so very easy....
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day out. I will perhaps make this a weekend trip next season.
Lincoln City v Torquay United
League Two
Saturday, August 14th 2010, 3pm
Olie Marles (Torquay United fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to going to Sincil Bank, as it was my first time, also Torquays first away trip this season. It was a gruling 250 mile trip. But we knew that if we won, we would stay as League leaders. Also the atmosphere would be hostile towards Mustapha Carayol who left torquay united for Lincoln on not the best terms with the Torquay following.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The Journey was not smooth, as we had to change coaches by the time we got to Newton abbot, a whole 3 miles into the trip. But was not too bad after that blip. it was one of the longer trips, but was helped by the stop at Birmingham, and us finding out we had Bournemouth, one of our rivals in the JPT Trophie. When we got to Lincoln the ground seemed very tucked away from view, and i couldn't see the floodlights till we got to the ground. But once we got to the ground, the parking was good, just outside the ground right next to the players coach.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
Before the game, i went to get my match ticket from the ticket office. The guy who served me was very helpful, but the same cannot be said for the woman on the other ticket machine, who was not very polite to one of the torquay supporters wanting an Junior ticket, claiming he was an adult. Which i had seen people get Junior tickets who looked alot older. After this, some of the torquay fans went to the pub, but we decided to get into the ground. we got a few looks from the Lincoln fans, but nothing threatening. But i met some other Torquay fans, and waited for the gates to open.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
When i got into the ground and went to take in the ground, the stand i was in the co-op stand, was impressive. It was large, and was very spacious. The away fans were next to some home fans, with tarpoling inbetween the two sets of fans. Directly infront of us was a tall stand, but didnt fill the entire side. It would make the ground look tider if they made that fill the entire side. Then to the left was a small seating area. It held the more passionate fans, with an score bored on it. Then on the right was a small stand which was empty during the game, but had executive boxes. Overall it was a nice ground, the only complaint i had was the stand infront didnt fill the side.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game was free flowing, very entertaining. The Lincoln fans in the echo stand were okay, treating us to a few sing songs. The acoustics were good in the away section. As there was only a few of us we stood together and made sure the ex- torquay player Mustapha Carayol knew what we felt about him. Torquay won 2-0 in the end with a brace by Elliot Benyon with 2 very good headers. The steward with us at the top of the away section was a very very friendly man, who openly talked to us, and was not harsh, but did his job to his best, and when he took a beach ball off a fan, he respected his decision and shook his hand, the way stewarding should be 10/10. The food was decent and not stupidly priced and the toilet was clean and spacious.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After winning 2-0 and keeping our top spot, we chanted out of the ground to the coach. We got a few stares and a couple comments and one got into a fisticuffs with one of our fans, but one of the older supporters stepped in and moved him on. When we got on the coach we left no problems, but did take a little while to get out of Lincoln .
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
On reflection Lincoln is a good away trip which I would do again, Despite the seven hour trip there and seven hours back.
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Updated 22nd June 2020
