Thanks – Ben Futcher
In the past, I’ve had a problem with Ben Futcher, but as time has rolled on I’ve begun to get past his later indiscretions and recognise him as the important figure from our history that he is.
Futcher became one of Keith Alexander’s first signings in May 2002 having previously been with Doncaster, He was an honest footballer, limited on the floor but a towering presence in the air.
He scored more goals than both Simon Yeo and Dene Cropper in the season we made it to Cardiff first time out, his goals giving us 1-0 wins over York, Scunthorpe, Southend, and Rochdale. He even scored in the play-off final in Cardiff. He may not have been the best footballer, but his aerial threat was plain for all to see. Futcher won “Young Player of the Season” for his efforts.
Futcher was at the heart of the Lincoln defence for another play-off defeat: losing out in the semi-finals to Huddersfield Town in 2003/2004. After this game Futcher decided to capitalise on his rising stock and asked for a transfer to a bigger club. No bigger clubs came forward.
We went down again at the final hurdle the following season and once again Futcher played his part. By then we had signed Jamie McCombe and Gareth McAuley, both a threat in the air but crucially both good footballers as well. It didn’t seem like it would be long before the big man moved on.
When he did move on it was something of a shock. Futcher announced he would be leaving Lincoln, to sign for county rivals Boston United, which is where I got a bit peeved with him. He even cited footballing reasons as the motivational factor behind his move. One year after asking for a transfer to a bigger club, he moved to a side that have never finished above Lincoln, in any league. Ever.
They struggled so on January 12th, just six months later he was on the move again, this time sullying any positive memories Imps fans had by signing for Grimsby Town. He played the day we beat them 5-0 and got a suitably warm reception (as you’d imagine) from the partisan home fans.
He got his revenge a few weeks later. We were leading the play-off semi-final second leg against Grimsby 1-0, meaning it was 1-1 on aggregate. The next goal was crucial for either team, and in the 60th minute Futcher scored it for Grimsby. They added another in the last ten minutes giving them a 3-1 win on aggregate.
Still, we’ll always have 2002/03, so cheers Donny.
Didn’t Lincoln once take the great alec Jeffrey from us
Yes and he replaced Norman Corner in the side resulting in us falling away in the hunt for promotion in 68/69.
Thanks to Malcolm for that insight!
Malcolm beat me to it. The boy wonder who sadly broke his leg playing for Donny, at the time Manchester United was interested in him. He came to City on loan when Ron Grey was looking for some experience in his team. He had an heck of a shot on him too. Maybe not has hard as Perc’ but was hard enough. Without checking my records, I believe Jeffery finished his playing days with Skegness Town
Alick Jeffrey sadly was a busted flush by the time he joined us, injuries and an ‘ahem’ less than diligent conditioning routine taking its toll. Still capable of astonishing skill, but on balance a ‘no thanks’.
Belive those who say ‘Branny’ was the best right back we’ve had in my time (50 years), Neal Eardley included though that is close. Tough defensively, great bombing forward whether in support of the mercurial ‘Whizzer’ Krzywicki or the more prosaic John Fleming, his party piece was scoring from corners when he’d stand on the goal line and (occasionally) knock in the near post corners from Smithy.
What about Dennis Leigh . Fine servant to both clubs got his autograph over 50 years since as rovers fan in town centre