Ten Years On: Who Were Our BSP Hopefuls?

It’s ten years ago today since we played our first game in the Blue Square Premier League, known now as the National League. 

It’s a game I remember well, travelling across to Southport with Dad, Mo, Sam Kendall and a very young Rhys. I had to borrow my Mum’s car as mine was (constantly) off the road, and I took passengers because it gave me money for a programme, drink and some food. Seriously, I was 32 and relied on my Mum’s petrol to get fed. In honesty, I was on my arse, my job was slowly sliding from my grasp and everything felt utterly hopeless. The only place where there was any hope was at Lincoln City.

Summer 2011 might have been a shitty time personally, but once we got over relegation there was a renewed hope. We would be one of the big guns in the National League; we’d be serious challengers in the FA Trophy and might even get to Wembley. Steve Tilson’s business over the summer looked strong, very strong, and by the time I pulled up outside Haig Avenue, I was utterly convinced we were coming back at the first time of asking. I bet that’s how everyone feels before they actually have to watch National League football, and realise it is on a par with League Two, but with fewer promotion spots and an anti-Football League bias.

We came away that day with a 2-2 draw, something I felt we could build on. I’m sure those with good memories remember they had a lad called John-Paul Kissock who looked absolutely unstoppable that day. Still, with two away games before the following week, I was convinced City were on the up. Six days later, with defeats against Kidderminster and Wrexham behind us, I wasn’t so sure. On August 19th, still wondering where our National League adventure might go, I met Fe on a first date in Stamford. For once, my hope came not from football, but elsewhere. It was the right place to put my hope.

The wrong place was in the starting XI and squad of Lincoln City circa 2011, led by Steve Tilson. They weren’t all bad players, some were mismanaged, others punching above their weight, but they do form a part of the Imps’ rich tapestry, so here for you now is a run down of who they were, why I thought they were good, and what happened to them. I’d say ‘enjoy’, but only in a perverse ‘wow, this is where we once were’ kinda way.