Lincoln City Fans Around The World: How Do They Get To Supporting The Imps?

Sometimes, when you live near Lincoln and work in the area, supporting Lincoln City is taken for granted.

We talk about what drives us to games: the love of the community, the thrill when we score, the family connections, and yet that is only part of the Imps’ support spectrum.

Indeed, around the world, there are Lincoln City fans who have been drawn to us through various means: cup runs, Football Manager, FIFA, even just our rich history.

I chatted to a number of fans from across the globe to discover how they tumbled into supporting our club, and what it is like following the Imps from afar.

@EinarTornquist plutselig kom dagen man måtte stole på en unggutt fra Stoke https://t.co/h5NIinHGG0

— Stian H (@holthe_stian) May 19, 2021

Stian Holthe, Norway

I’m Stian Holthe, 41, a Norwegian living just outside Oslo. It started when I was playing Football Manager back in 1996/97. Since then, Lincoln City have been the team I have followed in the UK. I think the game that properly connected me to the club was the play-off final in 2003 and the 5-2 defeat.

For many years, it was hard to watch the games in Norway, so all I could do was watch the highlights afterwards and follow the matches on X or LiveScore. However, over the last 10 years, I have been able to watch almost every game. I usually watch them alone or with my son. Unfortunately, I don’t think there are too many other local Lincoln City fans.

My favourite memory has to be my first live game, when I went to Burnley for the FA Cup tie. Another was the following year, when I brought my son to a home game at Sincil Bank. He was eight years old and met all the players and staff outside the stadium on the day before the game.

My club in Norway is Vålerenga, a top-flight team who won promotion back after one season in the second division. Normally, they finish in mid-table without much chance of winning the league or qualifying for Europe.

I have been to Sincil Bank three times. On my most recent visit, I brought the whole family: my parents, wife and children, as well as my sister and her son. It has always been a nice experience, with friendly people and an amazing atmosphere.

Most of the people in Norway I have spoken to about Lincoln City think it is strange that I have supported them for all these years. But who cares? Finally, I support a Championship club! 😉