Number 17 on our list takes us into the modern era and to a player whose finishing ability and footballing intelligence lit up Sincil Bank during one of its most entertaining spells in recent memory.
This series continues to recognise the most prolific Lincoln City strikers since 1945, ranked by goals per game in EFL competition and featuring only those who made at least 25 appearances. It celebrates the scorers who defined their eras, from post-war poachers to modern match-winners.
#17 – Jamie Forrester (0.39)
Jamie Forrester’s Lincoln City story began by chance rather than design. In March 2006, with Simon Yeo sidelined by injury after a clash with Gary Silk in a derby at Boston United, Keith Alexander turned to Bristol Rovers’ out-of-favour striker to fill the gap. The signing proved inspiring. Forrester, who had previously represented clubs including Auxerre, Leeds United, Scunthorpe, Grimsby Town, Southend United, Walsall, and Northampton Town, arrived with pedigree and experience — and immediately made an impact.
His debut could hardly have gone better. Facing his former club, Grimsby Town, Forrester set up two goals and scored another as Lincoln romped to a 5-0 win, a result that instantly endeared him to supporters. He added four more goals before the end of his loan spell, earning a permanent deal at Sincil Bank. The goals dried up temporarily after that announcement, but when the 2006/07 season began, Forrester’s form returned in spectacular fashion.
That autumn, he scored four times at Mansfield and produced two further hat-tricks before the end of October. By season’s end he had notched 18 league goals and formed a lethal partnership with Mark Stallard. Together they plundered nearly 40 goals, driving Lincoln to the play-offs and restoring excitement to the Bank.
Forrester’s game was never just about finishing, though — his vision and link-up play were equally vital. Memorable assists included a deft backheel to set up Scott Kerr against Macclesfield and an overhead kick that led to Lee Beevers scoring against MK Dons.
The 2007/08 campaign brought another productive return, with 14 goals in a season marked by rumours of off-field friction that never truly disrupted his performances. He linked well with Ben Wright, and between them they accounted for 29 of Lincoln’s goals that year. Forrester’s final strike came via a curling free kick against Brentford in early 2008, before his eventual departure that summer amid speculation of differences with manager Peter Jackson.
In total, Jamie Forrester scored 35 league goals in 90 appearances for Lincoln City, a rate of 0.39 per game, placing him among the club’s most clinical forwards of the modern era. Stylish, technically accomplished, and decisive in front of goal, he left supporters with lasting memories — from that famous debut demolition of Grimsby to his hat-tricks in front of a buzzing Sincil Bank. Few players have made such a lasting impression in such a short space of time.
