Would he fit in now?
I wouldn’t want words such as ‘robust’ or ‘aggressive’ to take away from Thorpe’s reputation. In my A to Z book I think I used the term ‘outright thuggery’, which was perhaps a little harsh. He could mix it up, there isn’t a doubt about that. The basement division isn’t a place for the faint-hearted and we were one of the toughest teams out there. Sincil Bank saw many games that were aggressive, hard-fought and brutal at times. Thorpe was one who would never, ever be bullied.
Let’s not paint a picture of him being a big lump of anger though; he could play a bit. We did go long, often aiming for his head, but you don’t score goals just by winning the flick-ons. he could get around the back and he wasn’t averse to carrying the ball at his feet either. He was very much the sort of striker that would suit a 4-2-3-1 formation. To that end, he’d be perfect today.
Yes, you could ping the ball to him and we often did. He could lay it off, or he could hold it up and yet when he needed to, he could peel away and get in the right positions as well. His goal against Brighton on the final day of the season was a smart finish, taking the ball on his chest with his back to goal before swivelling and volleying into the back of the net.
He finished as top scorer in 1998 with 14, level in 1999 with Tony Battersby with ten, although that was our relegation season. He then finished on 17 in 2000, and 13 in each of 2001 and 2002.
In today’s team, he’d certainly have to watch some of his aggression, but he could definitely play the John Akinde role. He’s a similar player to Akinde, the aerial presence and the under-estimated pace and ability on the floor.
Lee Thorpe was a player I thoroughly enjoyed watching in a Lincoln team I often wished I didn’t have to. That tells you everything you need to know about an underrated key figure from a difficult period of Lincoln City history, promotion aside.
i think he would have been a good fit in keiths or dannys side. We might have snook a bit higher in 2002/3 if we werent skint
That goal against Torquay was something! Perhaps it is because of that I always remember him as a fantastic volleyer of the ball. Still probably my favourite ever striker. Principally for the reasons you mention, he got goals regardless. Yeo was great, but he was great when we were doing well. Not a mark against Yeo, just a reason why I like Thrope more
Was worth his weight in gold!
Eleven Thorpe’s and we wouldn’t have been relegated!
Very hard working and tough as old boots!