Imps fans have been deserving of more headlines this week, predictably though you won’t read about all of it on the internet as it isn’t entirely ‘newsworthy’ so to speak. However, another match has passed without incident, that’s two games in a row where our fans have not wreaked havoc, fought amongst themselves or with others.
Maybe I’m labouring on a point, but the coverage of the so-called trouble at Notts County really irked me. I had my heart in my mouth on Saturday (not the sea sickness of Friday coming back either) as I feared one idiot might try to make a name for himself and another headline -rabbing incident that would taint 1800 travelling fans. It didn’t happen.
Once again we travelled in numbers and caused no problems whatsoever. This wasn’t just any game either, this was Grimsby, after Hull City it is the flash point game, the one match I always keep my head down at. Instead of running battles and anti-social behaviour all I’ve seen is good behaviour, praise and respect. You might not have read about it as it doesn’t encourage clicks, although in fairness to the Echo they did retweet the Lincs Police tweet. it’s a start, right?
Could it be that we’re not actually all that bad as a group of fans? Could it be that maybe, just maybe, we’re not a threat to our own city? Sure, there is a long way to go this season but I firmly believe a Lincolnshire derby passing without incident deserves an article, even if it is just on my humble blog. hell, even Grimsby Supporters Liaison praised our fans!
Further praise is being heaped on our fans this week after a group secured the Lincoln Knight, previously part of the Knights Trail tourist attraction, to feature permanently at Sincil Bank and any new stadium we move to. I’m sure you’re familiar with this, but a group led by Adele Would targeted the Knight in the recent auction. You will have read about it because the local media were happy to cover the story, and rightly so.
The knight ended up fetching £6k which goes to the Nomad Trust in Lincoln, money raised independently via a crowd funder, bucket collection and a pull together of local businesses. Adele told me: “I’ve probably said enough but to thank the Supporters/fans for being behind us and giving what they could, the members of LISA who went beyond any expectations to lend a hand and the business for making it happen and of course the club for allowing us to do it!”
There was a small backlash over the amount of money it cost to bring the knight to Lincoln and whether it might have been better spent elsewhere. Of course this is a moot point; the money wasn’t there in the first place. It was raised with the sole intention of bringing a unique piece of art to the club and it served the purpose it was raised for. The knight (in my opinion) didn’t just feature the Imps but it came in the wake of our most successful season in 20 years. we lifted a trophy, our iconic cathedral had the knight out front at it seems right that it comes to the club now it has finished being displayed. The only real shame is that someone chose to bid against the group rather than let it go for the bottom price, but that’s life, right?
The big question now is where the knight will reside at the Bank. Adele feels keeping it mobile might be of benefit: “We could perhaps keep it somewhere safe that kids get access to (I think it will appeal to families more than the hard core fan) maybe the new fan zone? As they are light (apparently) it could be wheeled out the tunnel by the junior mascots at a game which was an idea someone said that I like, if it’s practical to do?!”
It is a possibility that it may replace the old cuddly Imp, if at all practical. Of course the more it is moved amount, the higher the chance of damage. There is a call for it to be inside the ground also to avoid it becoming a target for vandals. I wonder if the club might run a poll or consult fans as to where they’d like to see it?
Personally I think it should be housed in the corner of the Coop and Bridge McFarland stand which would make it accessible to the family area for photos. There is plenty of space in that corner also, and it could be tucked slightly to one side so that it won’t be damaged by a stray hoof clear from a defender during a game.
Wherever it goes it will remain a testament to our wonderful, diverse support. Whether it’s 6,000 fans on the road in two weeks, whether it is our travelling fans getting glowing reports from our closest rivals, or whether it is out newest fan group, L.I.S.A, getting behind a project such as the knight, we’re a bunch that deserve credit. It is easy to look back eighteen months and question where everyone was, but it’s pointless. Nothing can ever be achieved by looking backwards, only by going forwards and I’m damn sure our fan base is as strong as at any point in my thirty years as a fan.
Well done to Adele, and well done to every single fan that went to Grimsby and didn’t wreak havoc. You know that is the norm, I know that is the norm and hopefully the next time one idiot choses to try to make a name for himself, our local media will black out the coverage and not give them the recognition they feed on.
UTI
As always you are spot on, well done for highlighting all the good things that have been said about the best fans in the country
Never really in doubt imo its a different era at our club.Walking around abit with friend but keeping our colours hidden there were lots of grimsby wannabies around but everybody from lincoln were very sensible.Wouldnt want the police bill though there were possibly 100s on duty.Completely OTT.
Is it possible to share this with Chesterfield fans forum , it seems they have the wrong impression which could be having an effect on their support on Saturday.
Another good read Gary. Always a pleasure to read. Only one bit I don’t agree with is in paragraph 4 from the end. “It is a possibility that it may replace the old cuddly Imp” I hope not.
Just to play Devil’s A, should it be a news story that a large number of people watched something without fighting each other or the police? People go to gigs and events all the time without getting arrested and fighting, that is and should be the norm. The media cover it when large groups gather and some fight. It just so happens that when there is a fight at an event it tends to be football.
On the Knight I am delighted about that. It is far too easy to write off art as frivolous and not essential. The amount of things in the city that are put into terms of equivalent nurses or school books are untold, and certainly in the UK. But football is hardly essential so to start suggesting better ways to spend the money than art seems a tad misplaced. Lots of clubs have statues and this one is already approved by most fans. It is a great reminder of an iconic season.