Former Lincoln City defender Sean Raggett has been reunited with Danny Cowley after completing a move to Colchester United.
Raggett has joined the U’s following his departure from Rotherham United earlier this summer, adding significant experience to Cowley’s League Two squad. The 32-year-old centre-back is best remembered by City supporters for one of the most famous moments in the club’s history, his late winner against Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round in 2017.
That goal at Turf Moor secured a 1-0 victory for the Imps and sent Danny Cowley’s side into the quarter-finals, making City the first non-league club in 103 years to reach that stage of the competition. Raggett’s header has become one of the defining images of the Cowley era, sitting alongside the National League title win and the return to the Football League later that same season.
Raggett originally came through the youth ranks at Gillingham before making his name with Dover Athletic, where he impressed Danny and Nicky Cowley during their time managing in the National League. Lincoln moved for him in the summer of 2016, grabbing him as he was on his way up north to sign elsewhere. He literally diverted to Sincil Bank, leaving his other potential suitors waiting, and his single full season in LN5 proved to be career-defining.
He was a key part of the side that won the National League title in 2016/17, making 41 league appearances and scoring five goals. He remained with the club briefly on loan from Norwich City the following season, adding another 23 league appearances and two goals before moving on.
In total, Raggett played 66 league games for Lincoln, scoring seven times, but his contribution was always about more than numbers. He brought aerial dominance, defensive aggression and a real threat from set pieces, all qualities that made him a favourite among Imps supporters.
After leaving the Imps, Raggett joined Norwich City, although first-team chances at Carrow Road were limited following an injury. Loan spells followed with Rotherham United and Portsmouth before he made a permanent move to Fratton Park in 2020.
It was at Portsmouth where he enjoyed the longest spell of his career. Raggett made more than 200 appearances for Pompey across his loan and permanent periods, was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2021/22, and helped them win the League One title in 2024.
He then returned to Rotherham United, but after leaving the Millers this summer, he has now linked up with Cowley once again at Colchester. It goes without saying that everyone at the Stacey West wishes Raggs, and of course Danny and Nicky, all the best for the coming season.
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