Lincoln City Fc 2017/18

LINCOLN CITY FC 2017/18

Management Team

DANNY & NICKY COWLEY

Brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley were unveiled as the Club's new management team on Friday 13 May 2016 having led Braintree Town to a third-placed finish in the Vanarama National League only to miss out on a place in the Promotion Final at Wembley Stadium after losing to Grimsby Town in the semi-finals

A former player with Romford and Hornchurch, 37-year-old Danny cut his managerial teeth alongside Danny Scopes at Concord Rangers in 2007, leading the Essex outfit to the Essex Senior League title and promotion to the Ryman League Division 1 North plus a place in the last eight of the FA Vase.

Having lost to Waltham Abbey on penalties in the play-offs the following season, a second promotion was ensured in 2010 when Concord defeated Enfield 3-1 in the end-of-season showdown. Concord consolidated in the Ryman Premier League for the next two years and at the end of the 2011/12 season, Danny Scopes stepped down leaving Danny Cowley in sole charge.

Concord's rapid rise under Danny's tutelage continued with another play-off success and promotion to Conference South in 2013. An Essex Senior Cup win also came Concord's way in 2013/14 and the following season they retained the trophy, reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history and pulled off a stunning 6-2 win at Football League bound Barnet in the FA Trophy.

Danny departed Concord for Braintree Town at the end of the 2014/15 season, as did his younger brother and assistant manager Nicky, who made 268 appearances for Concord as a player, the majority as club captain, before making the switch to a coaching role.

The Cowley brothers continued their impressive record at Braintree, leading the part-timers to a superb top three finish making them amongst the most sought-after young management team in the game.

Both Danny and Nicky joined the Club on a full-time basis having previously combined their football management with jobs as Physical Education teachers at Fitzwimarc School in Rayleigh.

And in their first season in full-time management, the Cowleys secured a return to the EFL for the Imps as they secured the National League title with a 2-1 win over Macclesfield Town in April. The brothers also guided the Imps to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup having completed the scalps of Oldham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Premier League side Burnley, before the run came to an end at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. Squad Numbers

1 Paul Farman (GK) 2 Sean Long 3 Sam Habergham 4 Elliott Whitehouse 5 Luke Waterfall 6 Callum Howe 7 Josh Ginnelly (on loan from Burnley) 8 Ollie Palmer 9 Matt Rhead 10 Matt Green 11 Billy Knott 12 Ellis Chapman (first year scholar) 14 Jordan Maguire-Drew (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) 15 Rob Dickie 16 Michael Bostwick 21 Josh Vickers (GK) 23 Neal Eardley 25 Sean Raggett 26 Harry Anderson 27 Jamie McCombe 28 Nathan Arnold 30 Alex Woodyard 31 Richard Walton (GK) (on loan at Gainsborough Trinity) Playing Staff

1. PAUL FARMAN Goalkeeper Born: Newcastle-upon-Tyne DOB: 02.11.89

Goalkeeper Paul started his career as a youngster with Newcastle United and joined Blyth Spartans following spells at Monkseaton Academy and Washington before signing for Gateshead in the summer of 2009.

Paul played eight times for the Imps in the 2011/12 season whilst on loan from Gateshead, keeping two clean sheets in the process, but a groin strain forced his return to his native north east.

Involved with the England C squad prior to his loan move to Sincil Bank, Paul made a further nine appearances for Gateshead following his return and following his release, returned to the Imps on a permanent deal in May 2012.

An impressive first full season with the Club was rewarded with a new two-year contract and this was extended further towards the end of the 2014/15 season; a campaign which saw the popular stopper win the supporters’ “Player of the Season” award.

2. Sean Long Defender Born: Dublin DOB: 02.04.95

Former Republic of Ireland U21 international defender Sean Long first joined the Imps on a permanent deal in the summer of 2017 following a successful loan spell in the second-half of the 2016/17 season which saw the Imps clinch the National League title.

A versatile full-back, Dublin-born Sean joined Reading from Irish side Cherry Orchard in 2012 and made his professional debut on at the beginning of the 2014/15 season in a League Cup win over Scunthorpe United.

Having gained experience during a loan spell with Luton Town, Sean finished last season on loan at Braintree Town and was part of Danny Cowley's squad that secured a place in the National League Play-Offs.

The 21-year-old, who has represented his country at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level, was called up to the U21's for the first time in May 2015 along with Reading team mates Pierce Sweeney and Shane Griffin.

3. SAM HABERGHAM Defender Born: Doncaster DOB: 20.02.92

Doncaster-born Sam started out as a youngster with Norwich City before serving his scholarship at Carrow Road. He was rewarded with his first professional contract with the Canaries at the end of June 2009.

Released at the end of the 2010/11 season, he played once at Sincil Bank for the Imps’ reserves in April 2011 but ended up joining Tamworth three months later.

After a year with Tamworth he moved to Braintree Town and became a integral part of the Iron squad over the course of the next four seasons, receiving recognition at England C level in the process.

Sam joined the Imps on a two-year deal in the summer of 2016 and was an ever-present in his first campaign at the Club. He scored several goals, and was notoriously dangerous from set-piece situations. 4. ELLIOTT WHITEHOUSE Midfielder Born: Worksop DOB: 27.10.93

England C international midfielder Elliott Whitehouse joined the Imps on a permanent deal from Nuneaton Town in October 2016 on a deal that will run until the end of the 2017/18 season.

A product of Sheffield United's academy, Elliott had been with Nuneaton since September 2015 following a brief stint at FC Halifax Town.

Worksop-born Elliott was captain of the Sheffield United youth team that lost to Manchester United in the 2010/11 FA Youth Cup Final and made his first team debut for the Blades on New Year's Day 2013 in a 2–2 draw at Doncaster Rovers.

Having gained experience during loan spells with York City and Alfreton Town, Elliott linked up with Notts County following his release by Sheffield United in the summer of 2014 but with first team opportunities limited at Meadow Lane he had a brief loan stint at Nuneaton before signing for Halifax at the end of the 2014/15 season.

5. LUKE WATERFALL Defender Born: Sheffield DOB: 30.07.90

Centre-back Luke Waterfall joined the Club in June 2015 from Wrexham on a two-year contract.

Luke started out a youngster with Barnsley and made his first class debut as a teenager for Tranmere Rovers before being released in the summer of 2009.

He spent the next four seasons plying his trade in the National League North for Ilkeston Town and then Gainsborough Trinity before returning to the Football League with Scunthorpe United.

With first team opportunities at League One level limited at Glanford Park, Luke spent the 2014/15 season on loan at both Macclesfield Town and Mansfield Town before signing a permanent deal with Wrexham in January.

Following the appointment of Danny Cowley as Imps boss in the summer of 2016, Luke was soon made Club Captain.

6. CALLUM HOWE Defender Born: Doncaster DOB: 09.04.94

Central defender Callum Howe signed for the Imps in the summer of 2015 following a successful period on trial early in pre-season.

Doncaster-born Callum impressed during a pre-season friendly at Grantham Town and was rewarded with an initial one-year deal which duly extended into a second.

Released by Scunthorpe United at the end of the 2014/15 season, Howe had spells on loan at Gateshead and Alfreton Town and has also gained first-team experience whilst on loan at both Bradford Park Avenue and Gainsborough Trinity.

Callum spent the first three months of the season on loan at Southport. 7. JOSH GINNELLY Winger Born: Nuneaton DOB: 24.03.97

Burnley winger Josh Ginnelly re-joins the Imps on a season-long loan having initially joined the Imps on loan for the season in January.

Josh was a youth with Aston Villa before serving his scholarship with Shrewsbury Town, making his Football League bow at the beginning of the 2014/15 season in the process. Linking up with Burnley 12 months later,

8. OLLIE PALMER Forward Born: Epsom DOB: 21.01.92

Palmer joined the Imps upon the club’s return to EFL on a two-year deal from Leyton Orient.

The 6ft5 striker started his trade at Woking, before making loan moves to St Albans City and Boreham Wood.

He netted 40 league goals in two seasons at Havant & Waterlooville, which earned him a move to the EFL with Mansfield Town in the summer of 2013.

After two years at the Stags, which included a loan spell at Grimsby Town, Palmer then joined Leyton Orient on a two-year deal where he netted 14 times in the league and cup.

He spent the end of last season on loan at Luton Town and helped them to the League Two play-offs before putting pen-to-paper with Danny Cowley in the summer.

9. MATT RHEAD Forward Born: Stoke-on-Trent DOB: 31.05.84

Striker Matt Rhead turned down the offer of a new deal at Mansfield Town to sign for the Imps on a two-year contract in the summer of 2015.

Part of the Stags' squad that won the Conference championship in 2013, the 6'4" front man had been at Field Mill since January 2012 having previously been a regular on the scoresheet for Corby Town and Eastwood Town.

Stoke-born Matt has also played for Kidsgrove Athletic, Nantwich Town and Congleton Town. He joined Corby from Eastwood in June 2011.

A fans-favourite at Sincil Bank, ‘Rheady’ has been top scorer in both his seasons so far, netting 35 times in the National League. He also signed a new contract last summer, keeping the striker at the club until the summer of 2018.

10. MATT GREEN Forward Born: Bath DOB: 02.01.87

Matt joined the Club in the summer of 2017 following the expiration of his contract with Mansfield Town, where he netted 80 times in the league in two spells with the Stags. Green came through the ranks at Bristol City, before moving to Newport County where he impressed and earned himself a move to Cardiff City. He had two spells on loan at Oxford United during the 2007/08 season, and then signed for Torquay United on a permanent deal at the end of the campaign.

After another loan spell with Oxford United, where he scored in the Conference play-off final to help secure the U’s return to the EFL, Green joined the club permanently in the summer of 2010.

In the summer of 2011, he joined Mansfield on loan where be came an instant hit at Field Mill as he scored 14 times. The forward then joined the Stags on a permanent deal in January of 2012, and scored 27 times as they secured the National League title in 2013.

He signed for Birmingham City in the summer of 2013, but a serious knee injury cut his game time short, before returning to Mansfield in 2015 where he netted a further 26 times in the league before his release this summer.

11. BILLY KNOTT Midfielder Born: Rockford, Essex DOB: 28.11.92

Central midfielder Billy Knott joined the Imps on a one-year deal in July 2017 following his departure from Gillingham.

Knott first joined the Club in February 2017 on a loan deal until the end of the season, and played a key role in the National League title victory.

During his youth career Billy spent time with West Ham United, Chelsea and Sunderland and gained valuable first team experience during loan spells at AFC Wimbledon and Woking before making his Sunderland first team debut on the final day of the 2012/13 Premier League season, coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Further loans with Wycombe Wanderers and Port Vale followed in the 2013/14 campaign and having failed to make the breakthrough into the Sunderland first team sufficiently, Billy - who represented England at U16, U17 and U20 level - signed a two-year deal with Bradford City.

A member of the Bradford side that defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup, Canvey Island born Billy went on to make over 60 appearances for the Bantams before joining fellow League One side Gillingham. He made 24 EFL and cup appearances last season for Gillingham prior to his move to Sincil Bank.

14. JORDAN MAGUIRE-DREW Midfielder DOB: 19.09.97

A product of the Brighton & Hove Albion youth setup, Maguire-Drew joined the Imps on a season-long loan in July 2017.

The highly-rated winger impressed in a loan spell with Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League last season, as he scored 15 times as the Daggers made the play-offs before being knocked out by the promoted Forest Green Rovers.

15. ROB DICKIE Defender Born: Wokingham DOB: 03.03.96

Former England Under-19 international defender Rob Dickie joined the Imps on a six-month loan deal from SkyBet Championship club a week before the 2017/18 season commenced. Rob first joined Reading at the age of eight and after progressing through the ranks, he made his first loan spell away from the club at Basingstoke during the 2014/15 season as the club finished third and secured a play-off place in the National League South.

The following season, he made the move to Cheltenham Town, making 27 league appearances as The Robins secured the National League title. The central defender also scored a hat-trick during that loan spell away to Chelmsford City in the FA Trophy.

Rob spent the 2015/16 season with Reading and made his first team debut in the final game of the season away to Blackburn Rovers as a substitute whilst last season he spent a short period back on loan at Cheltenham, but he spent most of the campaign skippering Reading to the Under-23 Premier League Cup Final against Swansea City.

16. MICHAEL BOSTWICK Midfielder Born: Eltham, London DOB: 17.05.88

A product of the Millwall youth setup, Bostwick joined Cowley’s side in July 2017 on a two-year deal from Peterborough United.

After loan spells away from the New Den with Crawley Town, the powerful midfielder joined Rushden & Diamonds in January 2007 under Graham Westley.

He left Nene Park that summer, and signed for Ebbsfleet United, where he spent the 2007-08 season before linking up with Westley again at Stevenage where he became a household name.

Bostwick, who can operate in defence or midfield, spent four seasons at Stevenage and played a key role in the Club’s rise from the National League to League One, securing two play-off final victories.

In the summer of 2012, he joined Peterborough United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. After making over 200 appearances in all competitions, and receiving the Player of the Season award at the Posh last season, Bostwick came to Sincil Bank for an undisclosed fee.

21. JOSH VICKERS Goalkeeper Born: Brentwood DOB: 01.12.95

A product of Arsenal’s youth system, Vickers first linked up with the Cowleys at Concord Rangers where he spent two loan spells.

In the summer of 2015, Vickers joined Goalkeeper Coach Tony Roberts at Swansea City, before a loan spell at Barnet last season.

Vickers joined the Imps in July 2017 on a two-year deal.

25. SEAN RAGGETT Defender Born: Chatham DOB: 25.01.94

City fought off interest from clubs from the EFL, SPL and The National League to secure the signature of 6’5” centre back Sean, who penned a two-year contract in the run up to the start of the 2016/17 season. Sean started his career as a youngster with Gillingham before joining Dover Athletic as a 16-year-old and went on to become a first team regular at The Crabble, going on to make over 150 first team appearances.

Having also gained experience during a loan spell at Whitstable Town, he was part of the Dover squad that secured promotion to the top flight of non-League football in 2013/14 and he followed this up two years later as the Whites reached the semi-finals of the Vanarama National League play-offs.

As Sean was under the age of 24 Dover Athletic were entitled to a compensation fee for their role in his development.

A firm-favourite with the fans, Raggett scored the injury-time which secured the Imps an FA Cup Fourth Round victory at Premier League side Burnley.

23. NEAL EARDLEY Defender Born: St Asaph DOB:

Former Premier League defender Neal Eardley joined the Imps in August on a six-month contract following a successful pre-season trial.

Versatile full-back Neal, who appeared for Wales 16 times between 2007 and 2011, began his career at Oldham Athletic, making over 100 appearances at Boundary Park. He then made a move to Blackpool for a successful spell, which saw the Seasiders win promotion via the play-offs to the Premier League.

Eardley made 33 appearances during the 2010/11 season and netted once in the Premier League, a free-kick away at Everton. Once his contract expired at Blackpool in the summer of 2013, he signed for Birmingham City on a three-year deal.

After a stop-start spell with the Blues, he linked up with Neil Lennon at Hibernian for a short spell, before spending last season with Sky Bet League One side Northampton Town.

26. HARRY ANDERSON Winger Born: Surrey DOB: 09.01.97

Winger Harry Anderson signed a three-year deal with the Imps from Peterborough United on the same day Michael Bostwick also joined the Club.

Anderson had two loan spells with the Cowley’s men last season, scoring six times.

Harry is a Crawley Town youth graduate who moved to Peterborough in the summer of 2014 after Crawley’s youth team was disbanded and made his first team debut for the Posh in a League One fixture against Bradford City in February 2015.

Peterborough's "Young Player of the Year" in his first season at London Road, Harry made 17 first team appearances for the Posh and is a familiar face to City manager Danny Cowley having spent time on loan at Braintree Town. He gained further experience during a subsequent loan spell with St Albans City.

27. JAMIE McCOMBE Defender Born: Pontefract DOB: 01.01.83

Centre-back McCombe is spending his second full season with the Imps following an extension to his contract in the summer, which has also seen him appointed Under-23s Manager. McCombe returned to Sincil bank in January 2016 following his release by Stevenage.

Having first joined the Imps from Scunthorpe United back in March 2004, 6'5" Jamie went on to play 101 times for the Imps in all competitions, scoring eight goals, before Bristol City triggered a release clause in his contract.

The Imps' "Player of the Season" in 2004/05, Jamie’s last City appearance came in the 2005/06 League 2 play- offs when he skippered the side against Grimsby Town and he was an instant success at Bristol City, helping the Robins win promotion to the Championship in his first season with the club.

The Pontefract-born defender followed this with more success in 2007/08 as Bristol reached the play-offs only to miss out on a Premier League place to Hull City and he went on to spend another two years in the south west before returning north to join Huddersfield Town.

He chalked up over 50 appearances during two years with Huddersfield before playing 59 games in three years with Doncaster Rovers, although he missed all bar the last two games of the 2013/14 season due to a stress fracture in his back.

28. NATHAN ARNOLD Winger Born: Mansfield DOB: 26.07.87

Winger Nathan signed for the Imps on a two-year contract a week before the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

Nathan started his career as a youngster with home town team Mansfield Town, making his first team debut as a teenager early in the 2005/06 season. Scoring his first goal in only his third game, Nathan went on to appear over 100 times for the Stags before joining Hyde United in August 2009.

After a season with Hyde he linked up with Alfreton Town and helped them reach promotion to the top tier of the non-League pyramid in his first season at the Impact Arena, scoring 13 times in all competitions during the course of the 2010/11 campaign.

He spent a further two years with Alfreton before helping Cambridge United win The FA Trophy and promotion to the Football League in 2013/14. He spent the following season on loan at Grimsby Town and joined the Mariners on a permanent deal in the summer of 2015.

Nathan played an integral part in Grimsby’s return to the Football League via the play-offs, scoring the third goal in their 3-1 success over Forest Green Rover at Wembley Stadium and although he was offered new terms at Blundell Park, he opted for a move to Sincil Bank and the red and white stripes of Lincoln City.

The winger played a key role in the success of the 2017/18 season, including a late winner against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup and a crucial injury time winner at Gateshead to all-but secure the Natinoal League title.

30. ALEX WOODYARD Midfielder Born: Gravesend DOB: 03.05.93

Alex became Danny Cowley’s first signing as City manager in June 2016 and scooped up the Player of the Season award in his maiden campaign at Sincil Bank.

Woodyard was a youth with Charlton Athletic and served his scholarship at Southend United before penning professional terms with the Shrimpers in the summer of 2011 having already forced his way into the first team at Roots Hall.

He gained further experience during loan spells at Farnborough and Braintree an on his release from Southend linked up with Dartford after impressing during the 2013/14 pre-season. Despite being an almost ever-present during his one season at Dartford he moved to Concord Rangers, managed at the time by Danny and Nicky Cowley.

An impressive year at Concord saw him pick up the supporters’ ‘Player of the Season’ award but he followed the Cowley brothers to Braintree after a week-long trial at Leyton Orient.

Despite interest from higher divisions, Woodyard opted to extend his stay at Sincil Bank, with a deal lasting until the summer of 2019.

31. RICHARD WALTON Goalkeeper Born: Sutton in Ashfield DOB: 04.10.97

A product of the Club’s youth system, goalkeeper Richard was handed his first professional contract in the summer of 2016 following the conclusion of his scholarship.

He was named in the first team squad for the first time in November 2015 and gained experience in the latter half of the 2015/16 season on loan at Lincoln United

Walton has been loaned out to National League North side Gainsborough Trinity for the 2017/18 season.