As a player, new Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth enjoyed a lengthy career which saw him chalk up around 570 first team matches and one England U21 cap.

A central defender, Walthamstow-born David (42) started out alongside twin brother Dean in the youth set up at Watford and went on to play almost 300 times for the Hornets' first team.

David played under six managers at Watford, including former City boss Graham Taylor, and after 10 years as a professional at Vicarage Road was transferred to Sheffield United for £450,000 in 1996.

Captain during his two and a half seasons at Bramall Lane, which saw him notch up a further 100 games, a £1.25m move to Birmingham City followed before his playing career finished with short spells at Walsall, Bolton Wanderers, Scarborough and Gretna.

After hanging up his boots, David was reserve team manager at Gretna, winning the league title, but after a spell as director of youth development he left in a cost-cutting exercise as the club headed towards liquidation.

In May 2008, David was handed his first managerial role at Ilkeston Town and immediately transformed the club from relegation favourites to Unibond Premier play-off candidates.

These exploits, whilst working on a tight budget, didn't go unnoticed and shortly before the turn of 2009, he left Ilkeston sitting sixth in the table to take over at Mansfield Town, who at the time were languishing in the lower reaches of the Conference table.

He quickly brought about an upturn in the Stags' fortunes, leading them to a respectable mid-table finish whilst the rebuilding continued the following season which saw the Field Mill side finish up ninth.

His second full season at Mansfield lasted just 19 matches, however, and although the Stags were handily placed just four points outside the play-off positions, he left the club by mutual consent in November 2010.

Appointed City manager 11 months later, David becomes the 33rd person since the Second World War to occupy the managerial hot seat at Sincil Bank either permanently or on a caretaker basis.