3rd: Stuart Bimson (75 votes, 14%)

I use the phrase ‘uncomplicated’ a couple of times in my book, ‘The who’s who of Lincoln City 1993-2016’. It’s a phrase I like to think looks favourably on players who may have lacked certain techniques or facets to their game, but on whom I still wanted to heap a degree of praise. In that respect Stuart Bimson was definitely ‘uncomplicated’, in every positive sense of the word.

He spent seven years menacingly prowling up and down the line at City. He originally came in as cover for the injured Jon Whitney, making 13 appearances in the 1996/97 team before losing his spot towards the end of the season. However, he forced his way into the team after we were promoted, and he went on to make over 200 appearances for the Imps. He survived the administration scare and developed into an integral part of the side pushing for promotion the season after.

Bimson was well-known for his corners, often trying to score directly. Many fans expected an effort at goal every time we got a corner, and it added to his popularity no end.

Bimson was a great leader and organiser for the younger players and during John Reames’ spell as manager his influence was incredibly important. As part of the five-man defence that Keith built in 2002/03 he was crucial not only for getting up and down the line, but also for encouraging younger players and putting his experience to good use. Yes he was uncomplicated, but he did the simple things well and he did them right. His penultimate game at Sincil Bank could have ended badly for him, he gave away a penalty as we trailed Torquay 1-0. If they’d scored we would have missed out on the play-offs, but they missed and the rest is history.

In that season he also scored a penalty at the KC Stadium, Hull as we became the first team to beat Hull City in their new home. He gave us a 1-0 win in a memorable match.

He was the only squad player to leave after that play-off final against Bournemouth, the lure of a two-year deal at Cambridge was too much to turn down, and it brought the curtain down on seven years as a City player. He played just 25 times for Cambridge before dropping into the Conference with Accrington Stanley. In 2006 he replaced another former Imps, Nicky Platneuar as manager of Lewes, but recently he’s been coaching at Southend’s centre of excellence.