Paul Farman

Pipping Harry to the title of best ever loan converted to a permanent move is stopper Paul Farman.

Farms had to do things the hard way in his career; after a trial at Newcastle didn’t work out he spent some time in the non-league scene of the north-east, eventually settling at Gateshead. It was with the Heed that he first appeared at Sincil Bank in September 2011, conceding an Ali Fuseini header to help us to a 1-0 win.

He was back a few months later loan, joining an Imps side in crisis. Steve Tilson had moved on and we were a side devoid of confidence and ability. After playing eight games for the club he returned to Gateshead, but he had already made himself a popular figure at Lincoln. He kept a clean sheet whilst on loan against Ebbsfleet, and again away at Forest Green. Up until that point, we’d only kept two clean sheets, one of those against Farman’s Gateshead!

That was his loan spell and it wouldn’t be enough to welcome him into the best ever loan deals, but in terms of conversion, the rest is history. By August of 2012 he was back at Lincoln on a permanent deal. He was virtually ever-present until picking up an injury at the end of the following season against Hyde. Gary Simpson signed Nick Townsend on loan, and when he regained fitness Farman couldn’t force his way into the team.

Things got much worse for him the following season. Gary Simpson signed Townsend on loan again and promised him the number one spot. Farman was relegated to the bench, and even went out to spend time on loan at Boston. It seemed the likeable Geordie’s days were numbered at Sincil Bank.

He returned stronger and with the same application and devotion he had always had, and his first Imps game back was in the 3-3 draw that saw Simpson fired. Restored to the starting line-up he seized his chance, and under the watchful eye of David Preece he not only reclaimed the number one jersey, but also went on to be named the Imps Player of the Year.

In 2016/17 he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers at non-league level. His man of the match display in the FA Cup Quarter-Final against Arsenal was proof of how much he’s developed both under Preece and latterly Jimmy Walker. A new two-year deal in 2017 confirmed his life long dream of becoming a Football League goalkeeper. Whilst he wasn’t fancied when we did finally get into the league, he left with over 230 appearances to his name and has since become Stevenage’s number one, enabling him to maintain his dream of playing in the Football League.