‘On time and on budget’ was how Lincoln City CEO Liam Scully described plans to renovate Sincil Bank this summer, and now more developments have emerged.
Yesterday, the club confirmed a new three-year partnership with Northwick Group, which will see the long-standing club sponsor associated with the Stacey West Stand. Crucially, it is not the Northwich Stacey West Stand; there is no renaming, but instead, a deal which see branding introduced, but not naming rights.
The Stacey West Stand is named in memory of Bill Stacey and Jim West, two Lincoln City supporters who were among the 56 people who lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire on 11 May 1985. Their names and memory remain a hugely important part of our football club, and the club have said that respecting that significance has been central to the conversations surrounding the partnership. Consultations took place between the Fan Advisory Board and the club before anything was agreed.
City’s head of commercial, Bobby Copping, praised Northwick Group for the way they approached the agreement and the proposed branding.
“They have been incredibly sensitive throughout the branding and design process and ensured the Fan Advisory Board were central to this commitment,” he said.
Northwick Group managing director Tom Wray is himself a lifelong City supporter and season ticket holder. He described the agreement as a proud moment for the company and acknowledged the importance of the stand to supporters.
“As a Lincolnshire-based business, we understand the significance of the Stacey West Stand and its importance to everyone at the football club,” he said.
The announcement comes as significant work continues around Sincil Bank as part of the wider Imps Territory development.
The club’s latest stadium update confirmed that after the images of the stand were released- looking great in black but with a lot of faded seats- those existing seats have now been removed, with replacements due to be installed. That will look really good, for the first time in many seasons.
New seats have already been fitted in the Greenlinc Renewables Stand, where the roof and external areas have also been repainted. Solar panels have been placed on the roof, while a battery storage area has been constructed outside the stadium.
Work is also progressing on the new venue behind the Rilmac Stand. The roof and cladding are in place, the upper-tier floor has been installed, and the main hospitality area is beginning to take shape.
The full details of the new Stacey West Stand agreement, including comments from Copping, Wray and Smith, can be read in the club’s official announcement.
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