1975/76 – Division Four Champions
I think this is where the debate starts, because for many, this is in living memory. We’re not dealing with words and pictures, but memories and facts.
Fact – the 1975/76 team broke the record for points under the old two points for a win system. We would have had 74, which would be 107 by today’s standards. We scored 111 goals, conceded just 39, and lost just four matches, one of which was on the opening day.
An argument could be put forward around squad size, and how this team achieved great things with far fewer players. Many went into management, the likes of Ian Branfoot, Sam Ellis and John Ward. The impact this team had, culturally, was immense, and obviously Graham Taylor went on to manage England.
It’s not about what they went on to do, and in terms of PPG, this team are the best ever. It was the Fourth Division, not the third, and in terms of budgets, it’s hard to pin down exactly where we were.
Mind you, there were two decent cup runs, top-flight opposition being beaten and basically everyone fearing Lincoln City. Magical, but the best ever?
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