The League One season may be over, but the awards keep on coming for Lincoln City, as head coach Michael Skubala receives his fourth Manager of the Month award this campaign.
It’s a result that draws him level with the late Graham Taylor, who also won four of these accolades during City’s 1975/76 campaign.
It was only fitting that the game in celebration of that side, the 4-3 thriller against Wycombe Wanderers, was the result that helped the current Imps gaffer pick up yet another accolade.
Skubala, to the surprise of no one, was named League One Manager of the Season at the EFL awards ceremony at the end of April.
How Did Lincoln & Skubala Win Again?
In a month where Lincoln won promotion, the title, and hit 100 points, there was no let-up for the Imps. A draw at Stevenage was the only time we dropped points, going a fifth month without defeat in the league. That stretched the unbeaten run to 28 games after the seven-goal thriller with Wycombe Wanderers, drawing level with Luton Town’s 18/19 side for the all-time League One record for games without tasting defeat.
Promotion could have been secured as early as the first game of April. Despite Ryan Oné’s controversial late winner against AFC Wimbledon, results elsewhere meant that we would have to wait until Easter Monday at Reading. And what an occasion that was, with Jack Moylan sending City to the Championship in the best possible style.
The squad got their chance to celebrate back at Sincil Bank against Leyton Orient, but Skubala didn’t allow his side to take their foot off the gas. Orient put us under some pressure at the end of that fixture, but we prevailed to take another step towards the title. Midweek results meant that it was possible against Stevenage, but the champagne remained on ice after the Boro kept alive their play-off ambitions with a point. Like with Huddersfield a month earlier, a stoppage-time equaliser was required to preserve the unbeaten run and secure a 2-2 draw.
Under the Eco-Power Stadium lights, the Imps needed just a point to be crowned champions. But in true Lincoln fashion, we got all three, with Ben House at the double. Those celebrations continued against Wycombe, where an expectant Sincil Bank were given one final joyous 90 minutes, as City won a topsy-turvy encounter. There was even a pitch invasion before the third-tier title was lifted.
Jack Wilshere was Skubala’s main contender, with an identical record in April. He also lifted the EFL Trophy, though that result has no bearing on this award. Luton Town’s hot streak was ultimately in vain, as they cruelly missed out on the play-offs in the final minutes of the season. The same can’t be said for the two other nominees, who achieved their short-term goals last month. Brian Barry-Murphy guided Cardiff City to promotion, while Ian Evatt secured Blackpool’s place in the division next season.
But the Imps gaffer emerges victorious once again, rounding off an incredible League One campaign in style.
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