I keep hearing talk of the Championship, and how it will mean a return to the level we last graced in 1961. What is prudent to note is that 1961 saw us relegated, and it’s maybe worth looking back to the last time we secured promotion from the third tier.

We’ve been close on a couple of occasions. There is this season, 2020/21, when we lost the play-off final, and two seasons in the early eighties, where a draw at Fulham cost us in the pre-play-off era, and a season later we led at Christmas, only to crumble in the wake of financial unrest.

Other than that, a ninth-placed finish in 1976/77 is the closest we have come to promotion since the heady days of 1951/52. It is almost poetic, because my Dad was born in 1953, just missing our last promotion, and he passed this season. Is his lifetime going to be the bookend for Third Division success?

Whatever happens this season, I thought it was worth looking back at 1951/52, not with the exquisite depth of Malcolm Johnson, but in a brief article covering the rudimentary aspects of the last time Lincoln City climbed out of the third tier. I’ve been asked a few times recently about our history, once or twice from newer supporters purchasing Gold Memberships for the first time, so those people can take this as a little history lesson.

1951/52

City’s 1951/52 campaign stands as one of the most exhilarating in the club’s history, a season when goals flowed freely, records tumbled and Sincil Bank became the stage for a red and white procession towards promotion.

The summer had begun with uncertainty. The club’s request to switch from the Third Division North to the Third Division South was rejected, but recruitment soon set an ambitious tone. Goalkeeper Ray Bell was joined by Scouse stopper Jimmy Jones from New Brighton, while Hull City pair John Varney and Robert Gibson arrived to strengthen defence and attack respectively.

Gibson’s signing inevitably sparked speculation about the futures of established forwards Johnny Garvie and Andy Graver, the famed “G-Forces”. In their first season together, they had plundered 40 goals, attracting attention from far beyond Lincolnshire. Both remained at Sincil Bank, and both featured as the new season opened with a 3-1 victory over York City.

Early momentum gathered quickly. Tony Emery resolved contractual differences in time to feature at Bill Shankly’s Grimsby Town, where Jones and Varney made their debuts. In front of more than 21,000 supporters, Lincoln triumphed 3-2, with Graver, Garvie and Horace Green on target. It was a sign of things to come.

Under the steady influence of Doug Wright, the Imps played vibrant, attacking football. Hartlepool United were beaten 4-1, Scunthorpe United fell 3-1 at the Old Showground, ending a year-long unbeaten home run, and were then dispatched 4-1 at Sincil Bank. Darlington were crushed 7-2, Graver claiming a hat-trick.

Then came a day etched permanently into club folklore. Crewe Alexandra arrived with teenage goalkeeper Dennis Murray making his debut. They left on the wrong end of an 11-1 demolition, still Lincoln’s record victory. Graver scored six, two with his right foot, two with his left and two with his head. Further goals came from Green, Ernie Whittle, Jim Grummett and George Johnson, a trainee joiner deputising for the injured Albert Finch. Johnson’s only league goal would forever be tied to that extraordinary afternoon.

By December, Lincoln were top. A 3-0 win at Workington lifted them to the summit and attendances regularly exceeded five figures. The FA Cup brought further excitement. Grimsby were beaten 3-1 in front of 21,757, Garvie and Graver sharing the spoils to set up a third round trip to First Division Portsmouth. Around 4,000 Lincoln supporters travelled to Fratton Park, some by chartered plane, but City were defeated 4-0 before a crowd of 41,000.

Injuries threatened to disrupt progress when Varney was ruled out after a Christmas Day defeat at Wrexham. The club responded swiftly, signing Doug Graham from Preston North End for £3,500. He slotted in seamlessly at left back.

Goals continued to rain down. Oldham Athletic, Chester and Chesterfield all suffered heavy defeats. Even when Graver tore knee ligaments, Lincoln’s charge did not falter. On March 29, a 3-1 win at Accrington Stanley included the club’s 100th league goal of the season. A brief wobble was corrected with emphatic wins over Southport and Workington.

Promotion sealed with last-gasp penalty save

Promotion was sealed on a tense Wednesday night against Stockport County. Garvie scored twice, but Stockport pulled one back and were awarded a late penalty. Staniforth stepped up, only for Jones to save magnificently. Police escorted the goalkeeper from the field as 21,500 jubilant supporters surged forward. Lincoln were champions, beyond the reach of Grimsby.

The statistics were staggering. A club record 68 points under the two points for a win system, and 121 goals scored. Graver netted 36 in 35 games, injury denying him a shot at Alan Hall’s 42-goal record and an England B cap. Whittle and Garvie each scored 19, Harry Troops added 15 and Finch 14. Emery, Whittle, Wright, Troops and Garvie all passed 40 appearances.

It was a season of unity and exuberance, featuring Ray Bell, Jack Bickerstaffe, Jackie Boden, Carl Dawson, Don Dykes, Tony Emery, Albert Finch, Johnny Garvie, Andy Graver, Horace Green, Jim Grummett, Tommy McCready, Bobby Owen, Harry Troops, Fred White, Ernie Whittle, Bert Wilkinson, Archie Wilson, Billy Windle, Duggie Wright and Dick Young.

Together, they delivered one of the happiest and most prolific campaigns Lincoln City have ever known, earning the club another crack at Division Two and leaving a legacy that still echoes around Sincil Bank.