4. Matt Carbon
84 appearances, 11 goals
£385,000 transfer fee
Matt Carbon progressed through Lincoln City’s youth system and was a standout performer in defence throughout the mid-1990s. He had an air about him, comfortable on the ball and dangerous from set pieces. He scored 11 goals in fewer than 100 appearances, an impressive tally for a centre-back.
He came through at the same time as Ben Dixon and Darren Huckerby, and it could be argued that those three helped save the club during a time of increased financial turmoil. Carbon’s performances earned him a move to Premier League Derby County for £385,000, one of the club’s biggest-ever sales at the time. He even lined up against the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Gianfranco Zola while with the Rams.
He later played regular Championship football with West Bromwich Albion and appeared for Barnsley, enjoying a long EFL career. His spell at Lincoln laid the foundations for that success and remains one of the club’s most valuable early academy contributions, and his number of appearances, combined with that transfer fee, puts him fourth on our list.
3. Shane Nicholson
209 appearances, 10 goals
£100,000 transfer fee
Shane Nicholson was our youngest-ever player at one stage, and is decorated unlike many on the list. he does share similarities with some, coming through during a turbulent time and debuting in the 86/87 season, as we were relegated. He played for us across five seasons in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning the GMVC in 1988, and thus being a part of Imps’ history.
A dependable left-back with excellent fitness and delivery, he made over 200 appearances before being sold to Derby County for £100,000, earning us a profit as well as moving up the ladder. He later featured for West Brom, Stockport, and Sheffield United, enjoying a long Football League career.
Nicholson also overcame personal challenges during his time in the game, showing great character to rebuild and continue performing at a high level. He even came back – in November 2006, where he appeared for us in the league, 20 years and 1 day after his debut for the club.