Stacey West FC are delighted to announce that former Lincoln City midfielder Mark Hone has agreed to take on the role of manager for next Friday’s charity game!

The Stacey West are set to face the BHF on Friday, May 22nd, 7:30 kick off, at Ashby Avenue, in aid of the Lincoln City Foundation. As Director of Football, it was my job to put a squad together, a blend of former Lincoln City players. We’ve already signed National League hero Terry Hawkridge, John Beck-era Craig Stones, and 90s icon Dean West, and cult hero Simon Yeo.

While I’ve got the team together, we needed someone special to ensure we have a direction and purpose, so we’ve gone with a man who has demonstrated that knowledge every week on the radio, and who learned some lessons under a manager who got the most out of players!

Mark Hone came through the ranks at Crystal Palace, making eight senior appearances before a move to Welling. After impressing in non-league, he was snapped up by Southend United, before moving to play for John Beck’s Imps in 1996.

He spent two seasons with City, and was part of the team that put together the Coca-Cola Cup run in 1996. He scored the opener at The Dell the night we drew 2-2, and he also scored on another big cup night, away against Emley. His goal looked to have sealed us progression, but we all know what happened there.

Mark hasn’t signed as a player; he’s signed as a manager, and his post-Imps career has involved plenty of that. After hanging up his boots, he remained heavily involved in football across Lincolnshire, building a strong reputation as a coach and mentor. He spent several years working within Lincoln City’s centre of excellence, earning his UEFA A Licence in 2002 and helping develop a number of promising young players, including future first-team figures Lee Frecklington and Jack Hobbs. Hone also became a familiar face around Sincil Bank away from the training ground, serving as the club’s matchday hospitality host during the 2008-09 campaign.

His coaching journey later took him into senior management when he succeeded Alan Biley at Spalding United in July 2009, where I believe he even managed Stacey West FC keeper, Chris Laming! They’ll be reunited next Friday night as Mark takes his place in the dugout alongside me, the DoF and Assistant Head Coach.

Our Sponsors Are…

The match sponsor is Fox Electrical 

The matchball sponsor is Fytche-Taylor Planning

BHF Man of the Match Sponsor is Wood Moore

SW Man of the Match Sponsor is JJ Hunsley

The Raffle

We are also running a raffle, all proceeds to the Foundation, where currently the top prizes are a signed Erik Ring home shirt from this season and a Matthew JI Wood framed print celebrating the title win. We’ve also just added a Lincoln City v Chelsea programme from this season’s League Cup, signed by all of the players.

More prizes to be added, and if you wish to donate a prize, please let me know. Tickets are on sale now, £5 per strip. To enter, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/bhfstaceywest and pledge £5, £10 or however much you wish. Make sure you include your full name to be entered into the raffle. The numbers will be allocated next week.

Our other latest signings

Scott Lowman has put pen to paper on a one-night contract. A former Lincoln United and Grantham Town player, he’ll add some experience to the team. We’ve also secured the double signing of Foundation staff members Ethan Hargreaves and Harrison Coley, both talented footballers who will help drag the average age down a bit! We’ve also tempted Josh Green, a Lincoln City fan and Stacey West reader, to join, because you can never have enough people called Josh on your side.

Stacey West FC Squad: Chris Laming, Dean West, James Harness, Ollie Burton, Luke Wagstaff, Terry Hawkridge, Stewart Aisthorpe, Scott Lowman, Josh Green, Josh Chapman, Craig Stones, Josh Russell, Kyle Fox, Kyle Kennealey, Chris Marren, Simon Yeo, Ethan Hargreaves and Harrison Coley.

Head Coach: Mark Hone

Assistant Coach: Gary Hutchinson