No Thanks: Kingsley Black

This final choice was a toss-up between two players who featured in the same squad. It was either Black, or Adam Buckley. Buckley was an obvious choice and may feature if this keeps going next season, so I’ve gone with Black. There’s a personal reason too.

As a kid I was a bit of a two team wanker, following Luton Town as well as the Imps. There’s a story behind it which regular readers will know, but one of my favourites Hatters’ players (after big Mick) was Kingsley Black. 

At Kenilworth Road he was renowned as a speedy winger with the ability to find a telling cross. He cost Forest £1.5m in 1991 which was a tidy fee in those days. He represented his country 30 times and later made himself a hero at Blundell Park as part of their double Wembley team in 1998. When Lennie Lawrence released him Grimsby fans were perhaps a bit surprised, and a little irate as he joined us.

Sadly, we never got to see the flying winger that convinced Brian Clough to part with so much money. We saw the slower version, still able but not entirely willing most of the time. He did score twice in a 2-2 draw at Carlisle, but those performances were few and far between.

As the club slid towards administration Black was seen as an expensive luxury that we could ill afford. His goals meant very little, despite hitting five he never scored in a Lincoln win. It was a shame as in his heyday Black was an exciting and vibrant player who stood out playing for Luton Town, where he is still regarded as a hero. For us though, he was shocking.

He agreed a severance package in October 2002 after appearing just once for Keith Alexander as a late sub in a 3-0 home win against Macclesfield. Black sloped off, never to be remembered in the annals of Imps history. Until now.