Lincoln United is a non-league football club that was formed in 1938 as Lincoln Amateurs FC. However they signed a professional player in 1951, Ray Bean, and changed their name to "United". They began in Lincoln League football.
Once they had become semi-professional, the club joined the Lincolnshire League, winning the title in 1963-64 before joining the Yorkshire League in 1967. That was as a member of Division Two, which the side won at the first attempt, along with promotion. The Yorkshire League title was lifted in 1970-71.
The 'Whites' won it for a second time in 1973-74 before being relegated to Division Two in 1978-79. They regained their upper status at the end of the 1980-81 campaign before becoming a founder member of the Northern Counties East League in 1982-83, where they were placed in Division One South and crowned champions at the first attempt.
The competition was restructured in 1985-86, with United winning its Division Two. However, they then moved to join the Supreme Division of the Central Midlands League, winning its title in 1991-92, helped by the goals of former Football League star, Tony Simmons. United also reached the FA Cup first round, being on the wrong side of a seven-goal beating at Leeds Road against Huddersfield Town.
The following season, the Whites reverted to the Northern Counties East League, winning Division One and being promoted to the Premier Division, which was won in 1994-95. The successes were overseen by manager John Wilkinson, which led to a place in Division One of the Northern Premier League.
Another run to the first round of the FA Cup followed in 1997-98. This time it was Walsall who ended their run with a 2-0 win at Bescot Stadium. Wilkinson departed in 2000, when he was replaced by Ian Musson. United narrowly avoided relegation before the arrival of new team boss, and former player, Allen Crombie, a few months later.
New manager, Goddard had a spell in charge before quitting, before being later replaced by the returning Wilkinson in May 2003. A fourth place in 2003-04 was enough to win promotion to the enlarged Premier Division of the NPL. They remained there, with John Ramshaw arriving as manager in the summer of 2007.
His reign was short-lived, with Mark Shaw replacing him, in a season that ended in relegation to Division One South. Seamus Lawless was given the manager's job, looking to use more local players, before Wilkinson returned for a third spell at the helm, keeping the side up in 2008-09. He was replaced in 2011 by former Lincoln City player Terry Fleming, who departed in April 2013.
Dave Frecklington arrived at Ashby Avenue, taking the side to the playoffs in 2015-16, where United lost their semifinal tie to Shaw Lane Aquaforce. Sam Wilkinson became manager after the defeat, before the experienced Steve Housham was given the job in March 2019, before Sam Wilkinson returned for a second spell in charge in February 2020.
Chris Funnell was appointed as manager for the 2022-23 season, playing in Division One East of the Northern Premier League, from which they lost an inter-step playoff to Avro. This led to relegation to Premier Division North of the United Counties League. The side lost their playoff semi-final in 2023-24 to Skegness Town.
Scott Hellewell arrived as manager in the summer of 2024, taking his side to the league title after just one season, and promotion back to Division One East of the Northern Premier League.
My visit
Saturday 22nd August 2009
It was a glorious sunny day. I was in Lincoln to watch Scarborough Athletic play at Lincoln Moorlands Railway later in the day. I had already walked from the station to Sincil Bank, home of Lincoln City, so I decided to set out to Ashby Avenue, where United are based.
It is a long walk from the city centre, but I had bags of time and I was cheered up no end by listening to the England batsmen putting themselves into a winning position against their hapless Aussie opponents at The Oval.
I found my way easy enough because I pre-planned and printed out a map. The ground is in a very pleasant location, standing next to Hartsholme Cricket Club. As luck would have it, the ground was playing host that afternoon to the Retford United v FC United of Manchester clash as Retford's home pitch wasn't ready owing to a mess up from the contractors.
A large group of Mancunians were already at the ground using the clubhouse just outside the ground, taking in the sun. They thought I might have been a club official of Retford or Lincoln, but I soon put them right. They were good folk who genuinely wished my club all the best in our attempts to climb the leagues.
The ground itself was first-class for the league that the club was playing in. I entered by the side of one goal. This end has the turnstiles, catering hut and club shop as well as the changing rooms. They have cleverly attached a lean-to roof in front of the building, so fans have covered standing accommodation at that end.
Down the left side was a neat seated stand across the halfway line, with open standing on either side. The far end had a smallish covered terracing all the way behind the goal. The other side had a small covered shelter towards the far end, as well as the dugouts with an elevated press box in the centre.
The whole ground was neatly enclosed by tall trees and bushes. It was very pleasing to the eye and had all the facilities required. I took my photos and headed off to find a pub, listen to more cricket, have some lunch and head on to my match.
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