Could Lincoln City Triallist Be 33-Goal Striker?

July 21, 2024 Gary Lincoln City, Rumours, Transfers 0

The Imps drew 0-0 with Oldham yesterday, with one player getting the detectives out in force.

We started the game with a trialist on the flank, with plenty of names being suggested. I thought it was perhaps Ike Orji from Gillingham, although that was just a rudimentary search of free agents, crossreferenced by position and then combed through, one by one, for those who looked similar. Yeah, that’s how I roll on a warm Saturday afternoon.

This is the player in question.

Now, Twitter user Matt Fenton has suggested it could be a player called King Baidoo, who has been causing waves in the lower leagues. He’s been playing for Hartpury University, which is near Gloucester, in the Hellenic First Division. They won that level last season, which is step six of the National League –  that’s a level below Lincoln United’s level.

This might seem very random, but there’s definite method behind it. Baidoo was selected to play for England Universities in 2021, and that’s an area Michael Skubala has some experience in. Baidoo’s LinkedIn suggests he is a strength and conditioning coach, aiming to become a full time professional footballer.

It would also account for some of the rawness in his game – he’s been playing striker for Hartpury University, for whom he bagged 33 goals last season, from 31 starts. The previous season, he bagged 14 from just eight starts. Fans at the game said he didn’t look entirely comfortable on the flank, where he played as a wingback for us. However, if he is a university student with little senior experience, then he may have looked a little less aware of the tactical approach than the other players.

We’d likely be looking for signs that Michael could work with the player and help develop him.

If it is him, and we did go on to sign him, he wouldn’t be the first player from the university to sign professional terms. In 2023, Laiith Fairnie left the university to join Birmingham City. It would be highly likely any move to us would be followed by a loan, with Ireland proving to be a good place for our young players to grow in recent seasons.

Interestingly, there is another tenuous Imps connection here. In 2022, Hartpbury won the Herefordshire County Cup, beating none other than Hereford in the final. Their manager? Josh Gowling.

He would also be the first Lincoln player to have the first name, King, although we did have Gary King come through the ranks. We’ve had a Sir as well, Sir Gareth Ainsworth, back in the 90s.