I haven’t done much on this topic of late, but while on talkSPORT the other week I realised something.
Peter Gain wasn’t one of my favourite Imps. He was my favourite. When Charlie Baker asked me who my favourite player was, I barely skipped a beat when I said Peter Gain. Therefore, as one of the widest-read Lincoln City websites, I owe it to my hero to make sure he gets adequate mention on here for what I feel was a great time at Lincoln City.
Peter Gain
When Peter Gain first arrived at Sincil Bank in December 1998, he was a relatively unknown youngster trying to find a way into senior football. A product of Tottenham Hotspur’s youth system, Gain had reached the FA Youth Cup final and was a regular in Spurs’ reserves, but the path to first-team football in North London was blocked. A loan to Lincoln City offered him a fresh start, and after a brief initial spell, the Imps secured his services permanently for a nominal £15,000 in early 1999.
Gain made his debut in the Auto Windscreens Shield against Hartlepool United on 26 January 1999, and followed up with a league debut against Burnley just days later. However, it wasn’t an instant breakthrough. Gain featured sparingly that season, making just four league appearances from the bench, biding his time while others held down regular midfield berths. Famously (in my eyes), Alan Buckley preferred his son, Adam, to Gainy, which (and there’s no offence meant here) was a lot like preferring a glass of cold sick to a glass of champagne.
It was in the early 2000s, particularly the 2001–02 campaign, that Gain began to establish himself. Operating predominantly from the left side of midfield, his technical ability, vision, and knack for scoring eye-catching goals quickly endeared him to the Sincil Bank faithful. But it was under manager Keith Alexander, from the 2002–03 season onwards, that Gain truly flourished.
Alexander’s Lincoln were known for their direct, physical style, a brand of football that perhaps didn’t obviously suit a flair player like Gain. Yet in a system built on aerial power and physical presence, it was Gain’s guile and creativity that gave City an edge in midfield. His partnership with Richard Butcher became the heartbeat of the side, blending energy, discipline, and a shared eye for goal.
The contrast was compelling. In a team defined by its robustness, Gain glided across the pitch with finesse. He scored 12 goals across two key seasons, with strikes that linger in the memory—most notably a thunderbolt from 40 yards against Rushden & Diamonds, and a beautiful scissor kick against Hull City in front of the Stacey West Stand. He was also central to City’s run to the Division Three play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.
That side, packed with personalities like Simon Yeo, Ben Futcher and Alan Marriott, was more than the sum of its parts. Gain was one of the few who gave it true footballing elegance.
Peter Gain’s time at Lincoln wasn’t just defined by what happened on the pitch. He remained at the club through financial turbulence, including a spell when the club entered administration. Wages went unpaid for months, yet he stayed committed.
“When the club was in administration there was a good three months we didn’t get paid. We were promised to be reimbursed, I only got some but I thought fair enough, I moved on and got on with it.”
His loyalty extended beyond that one episode. Despite receiving financially superior offers from Oxford United and Huddersfield Town in 2002, Gain re-signed with Lincoln—on the same terms as before.
“I was loving it at Lincoln and could sense good times were ahead, so I stayed for less money.”
It was a decision that resonated with fans at the time, reinforcing his status as a fan favourite and someone who truly bought into the club’s ethos.
The 2004–05 season marked the beginning of the end for Gain’s time at Lincoln. Despite playing regularly, he failed to find the net all campaign—a stark contrast to his previous goal returns. City once again reached the play-offs, but were beaten by Southend United at the Millennium Stadium, with Gain making what would be his final appearance in a City shirt.
Contract negotiations followed. Gain had offers from Peterborough, Huddersfield (again), and Rushden. Lincoln’s offer was competitive, but not enough. Gain claimed the difference came down to just £50 per week.
“It broke my heart. I dreamed of a testimonial at Lincoln… it came down to the principle, not the money.”
Fans hoped he’d stay. Instead, he made the switch to divisional rivals Peterborough United—an unpopular move made worse by his unveiling: lying on a bed with a half-naked Barry Fry. It left a sour taste.
What followed was a further fracturing of his relationship with some Lincoln supporters. In a later fixture between the two sides, Gain scored against City and celebrated demonstratively in front of the travelling fans. For a player once idolised, it was a shocking sight.
He later admitted he was reacting to personal abuse received from a minority in the crowd:
“I got a lot of stick that day. I was always passionate on the pitch but when I hear personal insults, not related to football, I reacted. I hate the fact that Lincoln supporters remember that and the manner in which I left, it’s heartbreaking.”
Peter Gain left Lincoln City with 263 appearances to his name—224 of those in the league—and 22 goals. That total places him 28th on the club’s all-time appearance list. But stats only tell part of the story.
Gain represented a rare type of midfielder at Lincoln during that era—skilful, composed, with a knack for scoring special goals. His relationship with Richard Butcher gave the Imps a midfield pairing unmatched for much of the following decade. He earned the chant: “Same old Gainy, taking the piss”, a reflection of how often he made the game look easy.
For all the drama at the end of his time with the club, Peter Gain’s place in Lincoln City’s history remains secure. He was a pivotal figure in one of the most successful and entertaining eras of the modern era. His goals, his flair, and his commitment through difficult times make him one of the most impactful players to wear red and white this century.
He may never have got that testimonial, and some wounds may never fully heal, but in terms of what he gave to the club during his prime, Peter Gain is rightly remembered as a standout performer—and one of the finest midfielders of the Keith Alexander era.
For me, he epitomises a time of my life; early 20s, relatively carefree, always out and enjoying life. He played in the first Imps side I saw in the play-offs, the first two national stadium finals we went to, and when he wound that left foot up, he created memories that will last a lot longer than anything else that came after.