Lincoln City FC are delighted to announce that we will be hosting some 'Older Mascots' versus Exeter City on Friday.
We've had over one hundred applicants from older supporters for this opportunity to be a mascot v Exeter and six were randomly selected. There were some great stories and fascinating memories amongst the applications.
This gesture is to thank them for their excellent support over the years. The six mascots range in age from 67 to 82 year old and a snippet of their past can be seen below.
We look forward to welcoming them on the day and that it will be an occasion they will never forget.
Mike Pacey – 81 year old
Mike is 81 and first went to see the Imps in 1944 when it was wartime football. He worked for the Club in the early 50's on match days selling programmes. A lasting memory of his was watching City beat Crewe Alexandra 11-1 on the 29th September, 1951. He watched the manager Bill Anderson sitting unmoved in the old St Andrews Stand as the goals went in and only applauded when it was goal number ten.
David Orbell – 82 years old (Nominated by his son Kevin Orbell)
David has been a lifelong Lincoln City supporter since watching his first match in 1946 and is still a season ticket holder today.
He remembers well back to the days of Bill Anderson, Harry Troops, Roy Finch, Andy Graver, Tony Emery and more but has continued to watch the Imps throughout the last 70 years through the ups and downs.
David was interviewed by Michael Hortin after the Chelsea game and Michael commented that he could clearly see how much this football club means to him.
Norman Robinson – 76 years old (Nominated by his daughter Nicola Lockwood)
Norman has been supporting Lincoln City FC since 1950 when he was 9 years old. He sat on the wall in the Sincil Bank end behind the scoreboard. He now sits in the Co-op Lower near the half way line.
Norman and his friend John Gibbon have been going to matches together for 60 years. Norman loves watching his beloved Lincoln City. His favourite players are Andy Graver, Percy Freeman and Gareth Ainsworth.
A lasting memory for Norman was in 1958 when City needed to win their last six matches to stay in the division and did so. Lincoln secured a 3-1 victory in their last match against Cardiff with Ron Habertson scoring one of Norman's favourite ever goals.
Colin McGill – 78 years old (Nominated by his son Kevin McGill)
Colin McGill has been following the Imps since just after the war which is a period of around 70 years. Despite moving to York in 1971, Colin rarely missed a match.
Colin even organised his work meetings for locations close to where City's midweek matches were being played. He sponsored Grant Brown during the John Reames era and gave generous donations to help prevent the Club from going into administration in 2002.
Colin now has a season ticket in the Coop Stand and he is estimated to have attended around 2,500 matches over his years supporting the Imps.
Dick Harvey – 72 years old
Dick has been an Imps supporter for 65 years and is currently a season ticket holder.
Dick's fondest memories were during the 1950's when Bill Anderson was manager where he watched most matches with his father and older brother. Two of his favourite players during this period were Andy Graver and Tommy Northcott. He also enjoyed the 58/59 season when we beat Liverpool 4-2.
He remembers watching the Imps defeat WBA in the FA Cup in 1961. West Bromwich Albion had three England internationals playing for them during the early 60's which made the victory even more impressive. Dick is thrilled that the Imps are going to Wembley and has labelled it a lifetime ambition achieved.
Robert Bell – 67 years old
Robert has supported Lincoln City for 60 years and attended his first match with his grandad in 1958. He now attends matches with his eldest son and grandsons.
He has many highlights of his time supporting the Imps which include beating Doncaster Rovers to clinch the Fourth Division Championship in 1976, beating Wycombe Wanderers in 1988 to secure a return to the Football League and attending the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff (2003) for the Play Off Final with his youngest son.
Seeing Lincoln City reach the FA Cup Quarter Final at Burnley with his eldest son and reaching Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy are also stand out highlights for Robert.
