Michael Skubala did not transform Lincoln City in a single afternoon, a single signing, or a single result, he did it through a chain of moments that slowly built a team now standing on the brink of history.
If you ask him, he’ll say he hasn’t done it at all, and he’d probably be right. He’s the figurehead, but this season has come from the hard work of many, not one or two. On the field and off the field, the Skubala era has grown, evolved and finally, thrived.
From a difficult inheritance in late 2023 to a squad now tied together for the future, these are the ten key steps that, as discussed on the Stacey West Podcast, have shaped the road to where City stand today.
On our recent podcast, Chris and I spoke about the ten key moments, events or actions that helped shape the Skubala era, and for those who don’t listen, I’ve written them up.
1. Ethan Erhahon’s goal at Wycombe gave the new era oxygen
When Skubala arrived in November 2023, there was no instant miracle. There were flashes, certainly, but there were also defeats, uncertainty and a feeling that things could turn sour very quickly if results did not improve. By the time City travelled to Wycombe in early January, the head coach had little credit in the bank. New arrivals had landed, Freddie Draper had been recalled, and it felt like the first day of a reset, but going behind only deepened the sense that this could become a problem before the rebuild had even started.
That is why Ethan Erhahon’s late leveller mattered so much. It was not a season-defining strike in terms of league position on that day alone, but it stopped the mood from tipping the wrong way at a delicate moment. Instead of another damaging defeat and the noise that would have followed, it gave Skubala room to breathe, gave supporters something to cling to, and allowed the first proper foundations of belief to be laid.
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