We’ve all heard the phrase little old Lincoln City before, but our League One title win has gone some way to putting that to bed.
Sincil Bank will be one of the smallest grounds in the Championship, we’ll have one of the smallest budgets, but it’s likely we’ll have the biggest hearts and highest work rate.
Nobody typifies heart and desire quite like Ben House. The longest-serving player in last night’s squad, it was fitting for him to get both goals that rubber-stamped a title we’ve been waiting a couple of weeks for.
House came down the left channel to finish for the first, and then steered a header past Doncaster keeper Lo-Tutala for the second, giving us the vital 2-0 win and ensuring not only do we go to Wolves next season, but we do so as Champions.
House explained that when he signed, that wasn’t something he expected.
“When I first came here, it was ‘little old Lincoln’, that’s what people used to say,” he told John Helm after last night’s win.
“I didn’t expect it, to be honest with you, but I probably should have with the recruitment and how well the club is run. I never expected it, but it’s an amazing feeling, and it’s a dream come true, really.”
The Imps have been referred to as a blueprint for promotion, one that might have taken a bit of time, but a blueprint with roots reaching back years, rather than months. One of those roots is House, signed in the winter window of 2021/22, and he’s seen the club evolve and grow over his spell here.
Having seen it first hand, he believes that what we’ve achieved is a beacon for other clubs, proof that you don’t need the biggest budget to win the biggest prize League One has to offer.
“Anyone can do it,” he added. “When you look at the financial side of this league, we’re right down there with the budget, but if you believe in each other and you have a tight-knit group, then you can achieve anything.”
There isn’t a lot left to achieve this season, apart from a possible 100 points, and maybe even League One’s longest-ever unbeaten run. After beating a club record 12 matches away from home unbeaten, those are the next tests for the squad.
“I think the big one would be 29 unbeaten if we can manage to get through the next two games. So yeah, hopefully we can do that,” said House.
“This group is just special, that’s what the gaffer says. It’s a special group, special backroom staff, and yeah, it’s been big.”
It certainly has, and over the next ten days or so, it might get even bigger for little old Lincoln City.
Comments Welcome!