Fred Middleton
Fred Middleton joined Lincoln City from Newcastle United for a reported £1,000 in May 1954, scoring the winner on his first-team debut in a 2-1 victory at Ipswich Town that September. The right-half established himself as Doug Wright’s successor and became a mainstay of the side, rarely missing a game between 1955 and 1961 unless injured. He captained the Imps, although a chipped bone in his foot kept him out of the final four matches of the remarkable 1957/58 escape from relegation.
Middleton also featured in the 1961 FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion, but a cartilage injury early the following season affected the remainder of his professional career. By his departure from Sincil Bank in August 1963, he had made exactly 300 Football League appearances and scored 16 goals, alongside 13 FA Cup outings and two in the League Cup. He had also scored in Division Three and Four: against Barnsley on January 31st, 1962, and against Darlington in his penultimate appearance at the Bank in May 1963.
Supporters recognised his contribution in 2007 by voting him 60th in the club’s list of 100 Lincoln City League Legends.
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