Steve Thompson

The previous time we’d seen a former manager coming back to the club was in 2004/05, when Steve Thompson returned. He had a single spell managing the Imps, but like Keith had also been a player. Oddly, it was Keith in the Imps dugout, and he warmly welcomed his old friend in the programme notes ahead of the game.

Thommo had been brought in to do a job; Cambridge were adrift at the foot of the table, seven points from safety when the two teams met. We were fifth in the table, and were the overwhelming favourites to get something from our game against The U’s. Just as when we’d played Keith’ Macclesfield, there were former Imps in the Cambridge team; Stuart Bimson, Justin Walker and Danny Webb. Sadly for Thommo, the game was a formality as early as the 26th minute; Yeo and Taylor-Fletcher bagging a goal each. Webb enjoyed his return, if Thommo didn’t, by getting a consolation on 53 minutes in front of 4672 supporters.

Sadly, The U’s were relegated at the end of the season, 14 points from safety. Thommo left the Abbey Stadium in May, having won five of his 23 matches there. Within a year, he was back in the game.

Thommo came back to the Bank in August 2006, as the manager of Notts County. Again, there were two former Imps in the opposition team (Lawrie Dudfield and Jason Lee), and this time things went a bit better for the returning manager; Adie Moses gave us the lead, but a Jeff Huges own goal secured a point for the Magpies. They finished nine points outside of the play-offs that season, but like John Schofield, the 2007/08 season wasn’t kind to him; he left the club in October, just before Schoey left the Imps.