Lincoln City Academy Graduate Faces Relegation Battle After London Switch

Former Lincoln City youngster Gbolahan Okewoye has found a new club after leaving the Imps in February, with Cray Valley (PM) confirming the midfielder as one of four additions announced on 13 March.

Okewoye departed Sincil Bank by mutual consent on 2 February, ending his short spell as a professional with City after coming through our scholarship programme. Now, just over six weeks later, the 19-year-old has resurfaced with the Millers as they try to pull themselves clear of danger in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Cray Valley described Okewoye as an attacking midfielder and made him their fourth signing of the day, following the arrivals of Hassan Ibrahiym, Chris Dickson and Sanchez Ming. It suggests there has been a clear attempt from the south London club to refresh their options as the season moves into its final stretch, and it also gives the former Imp a chance to reset after his exit from City earlier this year.

✍️ Signing Announcement

Cray Valley (PM) are pleased to confirm the signing of Gbolahan Okewoye.

He becomes the fourth new addition announced by the Millers today.

Welcome to the club!#WeAreSE9 🟢⚫ pic.twitter.com/GnBb8Ui3kd

— Cray Valley (PM) FC (@CrayValleyPM) March 13, 2026

Fresh start after February exit

When City confirmed Okewoye’s departure, sporting director Jez George explained the move was designed to help the youngster find a club closer to home.

“This is best for Bola in allowing him to find a club closer to home that can give him a platform to play at a level higher than we have been able to find for him.

“He has some outstanding physical attributes but we do not see him progressing into our first team and therefore it is better for him to move on now rather than staying until the end of the season without a realistic future pathway.”

That was a blunt assessment, but also an honest one, and it is often better for a young player to move on early rather than drift through the final months of a deal without meaningful minutes or a realistic route into senior football. Okewoye had shown enough during his time in the system to remain of interest elsewhere.

Last season he spent time on loan at Lincoln United and helped the Whites to promotion, while this season he also made a senior appearance for us from the bench in the Carabao Cup win at Harrogate Town. His most recent temporary spell before leaving the club came at Grimsby Borough.

The signing looks like a low-risk addition with upside for Cray Valley, who are in trouble at the bottom of the table. They are 20th in the table, five points above Potters Bar Town and six clear of Canvey Island, but they have also conceded 74 goals in 36 matches, the second-worst total in the division’s bottom eight.

That leaves little room for complacency, even if the gap beneath them gives them a fighting chance of staying up.