Grant Brown

How could any list of loans gone well not include this man, voted third on the list of all-time great Imps in 2007?

Grant signed for City in the late ’80s on loan from Leicester, later converting that to a club-record £60,000 transfer. He went on to enjoy 13 years playing in the Imps defence, and earned the nickname ‘hoof’ for his fondness of booting the ball as far away from the goal as he possibly could. He survived manager after manager, from John Beck to Phil Stant, from John Reames to Steve Wicks. All the while he was doing the basics right, if the ball came near his feet he kicked it away. If it came near his head, he headed it away. If it came anywhere else, he shifted it onto his feet or head to get rid. He was the stereotypical lower league defender, not usually one to nutmeg an opponent or go on a mazy run, but never one to shirk a tackle either.

As the years passed by the appearances racked up and Grant went from simple defender to become part of the furniture. He was nicknamed Mr Lincoln City for his unwavering devotion to the club, always signing new deals when put in front of him. Everyone was delighted when he finally broke the appearances record. Looking back the £60,000 it cost to sign him has been repaid ten-fold.

All good things must come to an end and his reign at the heart of the Imps defence finished as we entered administration in 2002. In a cruel twist of irony, he won the Player of the Year award just before leaving the club. There simply wasn’t enough money to sustain the squad and Grant left along with several the first team. He ended his playing days in the non-league scene, finally hanging up his boots in 2006 after a spell at Grantham Town.

However, by that time he was already back in the fold at Sincil Bank having taken over youth team responsibilities in 2005. He eventually he found himself as caretaker boss after the sacking of John Schofield and John Deehan. It was a role he was to find himself in again as managers came and went, but he remained loyal and dedicated to our club. At various points, he acted as assistant manager too, significantly as Chris Moyses assistant in the 2015/16 season.

Following the departure of Chris Moyses in mid-2016 Grant Brown left the club to seek pastures new. In all, he had given 24 years as player and official to the club and he will always be a true club legend. His unswerving dedication and robust, no-nonsense approach to playing meant he will be forever remembered as ‘Hoof’ Grant Brown, Mr Lincoln City himself.

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