George Wickens is set to bring up his Lincoln City century in Saturday’s battle of the League One centurions this weekend.
Birmingham City won the third-tier title with 111 points in 2024/25, while the Imps followed with 103 last season, giving this weekend’s meeting at Sincil Bank a neat numerical theme.
Assuming he is selected, Wickens will add his own contribution by making his 100th appearance for City. Joint head coach Chris Cohen believes the goalkeeper’s progress during that time has been evident both on and off the pitch.
“When I came back to the football club, George had just signed and had been here for a couple of months,” he said in this afternoon’s press conference.
“Seeing his growth and what playing games at a high level and conducting yourself every day at a high level can do for you as a person, most importantly, but as a player as well, he’s been a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to watch.”
That development has come while taking over from Lukas Jensen, whose departure for Millwall left an important position to fill.
“Replacing Lukas Jensen, who went to Millwall, is a really difficult task. The fact we haven’t missed Lukas speaks so highly of George and what he’s been able to do. There’s still a lot more to come.”
For Cohen, reaching three figures would mark another step in a career he believes still has considerable room to develop.
“He’s still got to keep pushing himself, and we’ve got to keep pushing him, because I think he’s nowhere near his ceiling yet. But when we signed him, if you’d said the 100 games were going to play out the way they have, I think everyone at the football club, including George, would be extremely happy.”
Wickens, meanwhile, feels his growing experience is gradually bringing him closer to the senior figures in the dressing room.
“Yes, I think slowly. I’m slowly coming into that role. They’ve obviously got many more years on me, and I learn a lot from them.”
“I think I’m on that journey to hopefully becoming more of a voice around the dressing room like they are, and I’m picking up things from them every day. Hopefully, over the next few years, I can do that even more.”
Reaching 100 appearances in all competitions would move Wickens level with fellow goalkeepers Mark Wallington and Rob Burch, as well as outfield players Tom Hopper and Danny Hone.
For our keeper, Saturday offers the chance to join that company while helping the Imps take on another side that made a habit of winning on their way out of League One.
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