Theo Robinson
I can’t help but refer to him as ‘FA Cup Theo’, because he did seemingly only turn up for those big games. He was known for having more clubs than the biscuit aisle at Tesco, but for a few short months, he settled and found a home. He joined in October 2016 and scored his first league goal against Maidstone at the end of November. By then, he was already on his FA Cup odyssey, scoring both our goals in the qualifying round win against Guiseley. Two more against Oldham, two against Ipswich and another against Brighton kept him in the headlines, but it must not be forgotten he only got the one in the league. His eventual departure came on deadline day, played out at Solihull in front of the media in something of a circus.
He moved to Southend and started just 24 games for them in two-and-a-half years, scoring 11 times (he did make 46 appearances from the bench). During that time he had loan spells with Swindon (seven goals in 16 games) and Colchester (11 from 19 starts). He joined Port Vale in August, the team he had appeared for before moving to Sincil Bank, where he has three goals from 27 league games, including the opener as they beat Bradford City yesterday.
Alex Simmons
Alex was a product of our academy, a player I think we all felt might go on and have a good career with the Imps. He had already appeared 26 times for us, scoring twice, before the 2016/17 season started. He came on as a sub in the North Ferriby win before joining Halifax Town on loan. They had their own FA Cup run, knocking out Dagenham before taking Eastleigh to a replay, and Alex played in all four matches. He returned to the Imps to make a late cameo in the 0-0 draw with Maidstone, before being released.
He then played for Boston and Gainsborough, before making a move to Australia to play for Brisbane City. He left Brisbane in December for fellow Queensland NPL side Eastern Suburbs, recently bagging his first goal for his new club, a 90th-minute winner against Olympic.
Dayle Southwell
I felt Dayle Southwell could have been better for the Imps than he was, and despite scoring early on his debut from the penalty spot in the FA Trophy, he never achieved the heights I thought he might. I seem to recall a bit of a strop when he was brought off against North Ferriby, and I recall him missing a penalty against Woking in his only appearance at Sincil Bank. He didn’t play again after the North Ferriby game, returning to League Two and Wycombe.
He appeared against us on the opening day of the 17/18 season for Wycombe, but moved to Guiseley before the season was out. He smashed in five goals from his final seven games that season, earning him a move to Halifax. He’s currently on the books of Kings Lynn, having also played for Boston United, the club he made his name with.
Joe Ward
Dare I say, leaving the best until last? I really liked Joe Ward and I could never understand why he didn’t play more in the league. he loved the FA Trophy, scoring twice against Welling and again against Boreham Wood, and every time he played I felt he looked class. He was on loan from Brighton but only appeared twice in the league, as we lost 3-0 at Barrow and were held 1-1 by York City. His final Lincoln outing came at the Emirates in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Brighton released him and he moved to Woking, where he excelled, scoring six in 25 starts. Before the season was out he was a League One player, moving to Peterborough United, where he still plays today. He’s made 122 League One appearances for Posh, with 37 in all competitions for them this season.
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