Ahead of the visit of Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon, we are able to provide supporters with a guide to plan your visit to the LNER Stadium.
Match theme
The 617 squadron are inviting supporters to join in with a fan-led minutes applause in the 55th minute in memory of Marcus Needham who recently passed away. The applause will be led by the 617 when the LED screens change in the 55th minute,
Marcus was a member of the supporter group from their inception and was described as a key figure in the movement.
University of Lincoln Fan Village
A variety of different food options will be available for supporters from 12:30pm. Coddy Cones, Yellowbelly Sausage, Curryjacks Wildjacks and Barbell Burger will all be present supplying their locally-sourced delights.
Tipsy Imp will provide a wide range of premium beers and ciders.
Another new addition in the Fan Village is an Imps retail unit. Following a recent retail survey, supporters requested additional retail options around the LNER Stadium so the club and Elite Pro Sports have teamed up to make this happen.
The retail unit is stocked full of replica kit, Formation gear, hats and scarves ahead of this weekend’s fixture and beyond.
Lincoln City Foundation will be running events for our younger fans and the Red Imps Community Trust will have their stall including old programmes for sale.
Supporters with a Gold+ programme subscription can collect their edition from the Red Imps Community Trust Stand in the Fan Village.
A variety of alcoholic and soft drinks are available.
Family activities
There are free football sessions from 1-2.30pm on the 3G pitch opposite the SRP Stand.
The Foundation will have activities including an inflatable football challenge in operation before the match in the University of Lincoln Fan Village.
The Foundation will also have engaging family-friendly activities in Poacher's Den - our family area which is open before EVERY home game at the LNER Stadium. Poacher's Den is situated at the north end of the GBM Stand facing Sincil Bank. Players not in the matchday squad will be in Poacher's Den from 2pm to play FIFA 23.
Players will also be in the club shop at this time to meet fans, pose for photographs and sign autographs.
Imptoons
Chris Wray, creator, will be in Poacher's Den providing an interactive workshop for young fans wanting to follow in his footsteps. Non-playing members of thw squad may also make an appearance!
Audio descriptive commentary
The Imps provide a free audio descriptive commentary service for fans with visual impairments. Headsets and receivers can be collected from the ticket office before the game (from the SLO point 12noon-2pm, then from the ticket office desks). Fans are encouraged to bring their own headphones where possible to minimise the amount of equipment needed to be shared - the receivers have a standard aux output. Anyone with questions about the service are asked to contact disability liaison officer Heidi Langham on dlo@theredimps.com.
Former Players Association guests
Matt Carmichael was signed by Colin Murphy in August 1989. At the time he was planning to join the Met Police after having previously served in the British Army but City offered him a professional contract and his career changed track. He was initially used as a striker and scored on his debut against Scunthorpe United but later converted to centre back. He was voted the supporters player of the season in 1991-92 and made more than 150 first team appearances before moving on to Scunthorpe in July 1993.
Ian Baraclough appeared in both midfield and as a defender during his time at Sincil Bank, having signed in 1992. He was initially on loan but the move became permanent and he spent a couple of seasons with the Imps before moving on. Ian had a lengthy career as a player making more than 600 senior appearances having started out with Leicester City and is one of the few players to have appeared in the Football League for Lincoln, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
John Schofield was a midfielder who, as well as playing for the Imp, went on to manage the youth team later serving as first team head coach. John signed from Gainsborough Trinity in November 1988 making his Football League debut a few days later in a 4-1 win at Burnley. He remained a regular in the team and in 1993-94 captained the Imps and was voted Player of the Season by the supporters. He moved on to Doncaster Rovers in November 1994 and later played for Mansfield and Hull City making a total of almost 500 senior appearances in his career. He returned to Lincoln in 2000 as head of youth development and made a few more appearances for the first team then in the summer of 2006 John became head coach/manager. He took the team to the play-offs in his first season in charge but results did not go well at the start of the following season and he left Sincil Bank
Warren Ward played for City as a striker during the 1985-86 season finishing as joint leading scorer with Neil Redfearn. Warren's first Football League appearances were for York City before signing for the Imps. He made his Imps debut in a League Cup game against his former club and a few days later made his first Football League appearance for City scoring in a 3-3 draw with Doncaster Rovers. He was loaned to Exeter City during the second half of the season scoring three goals in his 14 appearances for the Grecians but returned in April and scored three goals in the final five games of the season – not enough to prevent City being relegated from what was then Division Three.
Look out for the former players being interviewed in the University of Lincoln Fan Village around 2.15pm.
#ImpsSelfie
We've loved seeing the pictures of families enjoying matchdays at the LNER Stadium - why not share your images of the day with us on Twitter using the #ImpsSelfie hashtag. If you get a picture with Poacher don't forget to tag him on Twitter at @Poacher_The_Imp!
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office before the match but we strongly recommend purchasing online at eticketing.co.uk/imps.
Digital season tickets have been sent via email, physical cards from last season will remain valid so long as you have not moved seat or price/membership category.
You do not need a physical card, but if you need one they can be produced for £3 - we recommend emailing tickets@theredimps.com as early as possible so we can prepare your card for collection.
Travelling supporters can purchase tickets in the away end - these must be bought from the ticket office before the game.
Matchday travel
There are a number of car parking options for supporters attending games at the LNER Stadium this season - click here for details.
Our recommended car park is the South Common - click here to reserve your space.
Stagecoach have added an additional bus service for midweek matchdays to help supporters get home safely after the game.
The bus will depart 15 minutes after the full-time whistle from Gowt’s Bridge bus stop on the High Street, which will enable people to walk down Scorer Street to catch it.
The route will take supporters via Swanpool, Birchwood, Doddington Park, North Hykeham and Brant Road, with normal cash fares available as well as the special offer to gold/gold + membership holders.
There is also a cycle rack at the stadium for people who wish to bike down to the game.
First-time visitors & travelling fans
We warmly welcome new visitors to the LNER Stadium as well as travelling supporters. Check out our guide for everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Poacher's Playlist
You get to decide the matchday music at every match! Look out for the post on our social media channels and simply reply with your choice.
iFollow Imps
Those outside the UK & Ireland can purchase a match pass for the equivalent of £10 in your local currency. International subscribers can also watch the match. iFollow Imps subscribers in the UK & Ireland can listen to live audio commentary from BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Michael Hortin and expert summariser Gavin Gordon, with a full match replay available from Tueday.
Subscription in the UK & Ireland costs just £4.49 a month, with it even cheaper per month for an annual subscription. Click here to find out the options where you are. iFollow Imps subscribers in the UK & Ireland can also listen to audio commentary of all competitive City games as part of their subscription, as well as extended highlights after the game as well as a full match replay and access to full recordings of the press conferences before and after matches as well as exclusive subscriber-only videos.
Teamsheets
We'll share team news on our social media channels as soon as we can, with printed teamsheets available for purchase from the ticket office for 20 pence from around 2pm.
Safe text number
We offer an anonymous safe text number for supporters to report any concerns around safety or inappropriate behaviour and chanting in or around the stadium. You can contact the safe text line on 07718 483367.