A dream inspired by the famous Emirates FA Cup heroics will soon come true for The Imps, as today the club offered the first glimpse inside the upcoming state-of-the art new £1.3million Soper of Lincoln Elite Performance Centre.
It’s 606 days since The Imps’ 2016-17 giant-killing campaign was finally ended by Arsenal at the Quarter Final stage, the prize-money legacy of that run was revealed this week at the site of the new training facility set to offer huge opportunities for current and future generations. The site-tour came after The FA doubled the prize fund for clubs competing in the 2018-19 Emirates FA Cup to £30.2m, providing critical support for clubs throughout the football pyramid.
City’s brand-new Soper of Lincoln Elite Performance Centre was directly funded by Emirates FA Cup prize money earned across the historic campaign which captured the attention of the nation two years ago. After reaching the Third Round Proper, the then Vanarama National League side claimed the scalps of Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley en-route to the Quarter Final, before the courageous defeat against the eventual winners Arsenal.
The first look inside the facility was provided by First Team managerial duo Danny and Nicky Cowley and CEO Liam Scully, who escorted Andy Ambler, The FA’s Director of Professional Game Relations, on a tour of the 12.3 acre site along with Matt Rhead, who was of course an instrumental member of the 2016-17 squad, and recent youth team graduate Ellis Chapman.
Andy Ambler, said: “We are very proud to be here on what is an exciting day for Lincoln City Football Club. It is terrific to see that the £1.3m earned from their Emirates FA Cup run has been used in such a way, creating a true legacy, the benefits of which will be felt for generations to come at this forward-thinking club.”
“I still reflect on our 2016-17 Emirates FA Cup run with a lot of pride, and this brings back a lot of those feelings.’ Danny Cowley admitted. “This new facility is going to be a fantastic legacy to that achievement, but most importantly it will play a big role in nurturing the future talent of this club.”
Could this weekend's FA Cup first round tie against Northampton Town at Sincil Bank be part of a new legacy?
Tickets are still available for the game in person at the Sincil Bank ticket office or online by clicking HERE