David Johnson, United States
Hi, I’m David Johnson and I support the Imps from Dubuque, Iowa, USA. Like many people outside England, I first became aware of Lincoln City during that magical FA Cup run, but I really became a supporter around 2019/20.
I was trying to turn an English club into an American gateway on Football Manager, and I wanted to use a club with an American-themed name. Funnily enough, it came down to Lincoln City and Boston United. I could have been a Pilgrims fan, yuck! I became so obsessed with that save that, whenever I checked how another club I followed was doing, I would also take a look at the Imps. I found myself diving deeper into Lincoln City, and that snowballed into me becoming a fan.
Initially, I couldn’t find a way to watch the matches because it was before iFollow became available to me. I would watch people’s away-day videos on YouTube or any match highlights I could find, both from Lincoln and the teams they had played. Once iFollow arrived, I started watching every match live.
The moment that truly hooked me, and one I still think about regularly, was Jorge Grant’s free-kick against Posh. What a goal that was, and the reaction from the 617 Squadron in the stands still gives me chills. Now it is much easier to feel connected to the club, with all the online news outlets, especially The Stacey West! I have been a patron for several years and follow as many Lincoln City pages as I can online.
My usual matchday routine is kind of sad, lol. I have worked from Friday to Sunday for about five years, so 98% of my viewing is done on my phone at work. Before that, I would get up at 5am and watch on television, occasionally with my children poking around.
I have never watched a match with another supporter because none of the bars in my area show the EFL. In fact, they rarely show anything outside the major clubs. Football isn’t a popular sport where I live, which is why I used to live-tweet the games and sit in club chats. It made me feel more connected. I have since tended to keep to myself, but I still watch everything I can.
I don’t follow an MLS club because I genuinely cannot stand the rules surrounding contracts or the lack of promotion and relegation. It isn’t a bad league to watch, and I do sometimes watch it, but I don’t support any of the clubs.
I have never been to Sincil Bank, but it is at the top of my list if I am ever able to make a trip like that. Most people think my support is really cool when I talk to them about it, especially those who follow a club themselves and understand the English league pyramid. They are always shocked when I explain who Lincoln City are, which league they play in and why I support them. That has become easier to explain as we have climbed through the leagues.
Being an international Imp is pretty cool, and social media has allowed me to connect personally with many people in Lincolnshire. I have had such a great experience so far. I have appeared in an article published by the club and had the chance to join a Zoom call with Clive, as well as several matchday shows and podcasts, as you know because you hosted them!
I have also received so many gifts from people over there. Some are hanging on my wall, while others have been put away for safekeeping. I love the club and the relationships I have gained while living 5,000 miles across the pond. I feel like a local lad.
Once an Imp always an Imp