John Ward

There’s no specific mention of John Ward ever being interviewed by Lincoln, but he’s widely regarded as the greatest manager we never had. Schooled on the Lincoln pitches playing for Adelaide Park, Ward was a legend in red and white. He was assistant to Graham Taylor during Watford’s rise through the divisions, and it was in 1985 when he got briefly linked with the club. His name appears in speculation following Colin Murphy’s departure, with his potential as a manager already evident. He didn’t join the Imps, instead going to Aston Villa with Taylor, and Later England.

He then managed York City, both Bristol clubs, Cheltenham Town, Carlisle United, and Colchester United, and at various times he was mentioned as a possible manager for us. He never came though, and at a dinner around 2010 I asked him why, and he said he wouldn’t ever want to ruin his legacy here as a player, which is so easy to do as a manager.

He’s probably the most obvious potential Lincoln City manager never to manage Lincoln City.