ALLEN’S WHITES BACK ON THE UP

CHAIRMAN Allen Crombie says Lincoln United’s FA Vase run has allowed the club to press the reset button after last year’s Step 4 relegation. After a few near misses, the Whites finally saw their five-year stay in the Northern Premier League come to an end last season as they slipped into the United Counties League Premier North division after losing their Inter-Step Play-Off against Avro.

Crombie then took up the vacant chairman’s position to lead the rebuild at Ashby Avenue and the team have responded in style with the Whites lying second in the the table under manager Chris Funnell, including a 21-match winning run in all competitions.

“We want to get us back to where we belong and put the football club on an even keel,” Crombie told The NLP. “I have always been a supporter, and I thought coming into this role was a really good chance to hit the reset button.”

Crombie, however, wasn’t the only new addition to the board. Sam Wilkinson also rejoined the club as director of football last season but has now stepped up to become vice-chairman.

One of his first assignments was to set up a Supporter’s Trust which has grown from six to 28 people and is full of United experience.

These changes, coupled with growing sponsorships and stadium development have provided the platform for Lincoln’s revival – and the club are now looking to build on their recent resurgence when they visit Hallam in the FA Vase fifth round next weekend. Wilkinson said: “We are trying to create a good atmosphere and, as a result, have had new people come to watch. Now we have three coaches going to Hallam next week.

“If we can get through against Hallam you start to believe a bit more and you have a chance you can go all the way.

“It is nice to think about Wembley but it will be a special day to watch Hallam, because there will be people travelling who wouldn’t have done it in the past.” Whatever the outcome in the Vase on Saturday, the United rebuild is very much complete with the club back on the up.