They say football is a game of moments, and for Lincoln City, the opening day of the 1989–90 season delivered a full spectrum in ninety absorbing minutes at Sincil Bank.
Matt Carmichael announced himself with a debut goal, Tony James said farewell with another towering display, and Colin Murphy’s patched-up Imps laid down an early marker against local rivals Scunthorpe United.
In truth, it wasn’t a classic. Scunthorpe’s rigid offside trap stifled the flow, and the game, for long spells, became a midfield wrestling match. But City found their spark ten minutes after the restart. Shane Nicholson picked up the ball on the left and was aided by a clever dummy from Mark Sertori, freeing David Clarke down the flank. Clarke’s square pass found Carmichael on the edge of the box, and the big frontman lashed a thunderous low drive beyond Peter Litchfield, who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
It was a goal borne of sharp movement and a well-worked passage: rare commodities in a game low on quality but high on grit. Carmichael’s strike gave Lincoln their deserved lead and sparked belief that, even with injuries biting, this group might just be onto something.
While Carmichael would earn the headlines, it was the back line that underpinned the victory. Paul Casey, supposedly not fully fit, gave everything on the right, defending doggedly and driving forward. On the opposite flank, Clarke was excellent, both defending and supplementing attacks. Between them, Tony James and acting captain Darren Davis were resolute, although James did blot his copybook slightly when he misjudged a header that let in Kevin Taylor, who fortunately lobbed over.
Unbeknownst to the Sincil Bank faithful, James was signing off. By the end of the day, he had completed a move to Second Division Leicester City in a deal worth up to £150,000. It was the club’s biggest sale since Mick Harford’s move to Newcastle, and though fans were stunned, the reasons were clear: mounting injuries, a stretched squad, and the need to reinvest. Chairman John Reames confirmed all the proceeds would be made available to Murphy for squad strengthening. Still, for supporters, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
The middle of the park was where this contest ebbed and flowed. Graham Bressington had a relatively quiet afternoon, while Mark Cook, deputising for late withdrawal John Schofield, was full of intent if a little rash. Nicky Anderson showed flashes on the right, while Nicholson, Sertori and Clarke combined neatly down the left, especially in the second half.
Sertori, in particular, caught the eye. The improvement in his game was evident: on the deck, receiving to feet, he looked a real threat. His understanding with Clarke down the flank was promising, and there was optimism in the stands that the old-school, long-ball slog might be giving way to a more refined approach.
What the game lacked in fluidity, it made up for in narrative. A clean sheet, a goal for a debutant, a resilient performance from a makeshift side, and the heartbreak of losing a fan favourite, all in front of a crowd desperate for promotion-chasing purpose. With Bob Cumming watching on and Steve Thompson among the walking wounded, the strength in depth was already being tested.
Colin Murphy had seen his side labour in previous seasons under the weight of inconsistency and a heavy treatment table. But here, there was fight. There was direction. And if this was how they played with a half-fit squad, what might they look like when Thompson, Smith and Hobson were back?
The big news to come from the derby victory was that sale. The money from Tony James’ departure was used to sign a young centre back called Grant Brown from Leicester. Before the season was out, it was also used to bring in Tony Lormor, David Puttnam and Alan Roberts.
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