There was a time, not so long ago, when being an American fan of English football meant choosing one of the ‘Big Six’ and calling it a day, writes US-based City fan, Kelvin Miller.
It was a distant, televised relationship with the giants of the Premier League – a world of high-gloss branding and astronomical transfer fees. But the landscape is shifting. We’re not as easily distracted by the neon lights and diamond sparkle of the top flight. Most of us get a more visceral connection with the EFL, even if it doesn’t get the best TV slots on a Sunday afternoon.
At the heart of this transatlantic migration is Lincoln City, and that in itself is all a byproduct of maturing football culture where authenticity is best.
We love an underdog
The appeal of Lincoln City lies in its identity as a community-driven club. Most of the big US sports clubs can move from city to city at a billionaire’s whim, but the deep-rooted history of a club like Lincoln means it’s as tied to the city as its cobbled streets. Us yanks find something profoundly attractive about a team that belongs to its city in a way an NFL franchise simply won’t.
The club also takes a proactive approach to international engagement. Instead of keeping itself to itself, Lincoln welcomes the new US contingent like an old best friend, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends the pond. We get to be part of a narrative that’s gritty and hard-fought, which really is what sport is all about.
Breaking Digital Borders
The internet keeps doing its thing, dismantling the gatekeeping approach of traditional sports broadcasts, allowing fans in the Midwest to follow League One with the same intensity as someone living on Newark Road. However, the path to a seamless 90 minutes isn’t always running smoothly. Navigating international streaming rights can be a logistical headache, often requiring fans to find creative solutions to bypass regional geofences.
To ensure they don’t miss a single minute of the action, many supporters have turned to more robust technical setups. Whether it is to access iFollow or to bypass local blackouts while traveling, the use of a dedicated ExpressVPN server has become a common part of the matchday ritual for the overseas Lincoln faithful. It is a modern solution to an old-fashioned problem – ensuring that the physical distance between the fan and the pitch doesn’t translate into a digital disconnect.
The Cultural Footprint
The growth is also a reflection of the “Wrexham effect,” which has opened the eyes of the American public to the drama inherent in the English pyramid. But while some clubs lean into the Hollywood spotlight, Lincoln City offers something different – a steady, upward trajectory built on sustainable foundations.
As the club continues to increase its US exposure through pre-season tours and active fan groups, that footprint is only going to deepen. For the American fan, supporting Lincoln City isn’t about chasing trophies in a distant, elite bubble – it’s about the community, the history, and the sheer, unpredictable joy of the EFL. It turns out that the ‘Imps’ spirit translates perfectly well into the American vernacular.
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