Last week we launched our brand new LNER Train of Fame voting period. This gives Imps fans the chance to vote for their favourite Lincoln City hero to feature in our Fan Zone.
We shall continue to release bios of notable Imps legends to help you decide who gets your vote. Next up is Matt Rhead, and you can read more about him and his achievements with Lincoln City FC below.
Matt Rhead
- Signed for the Imps by Chris Moyses in the summer of 2015 from Mansfield Town.
- A traditional centre forward /striker.
- Physically strong using this attribute to unsettle the opposition at all levels.
- A great header of the ball but also possessed a ‘deftness of touch’ which he utilised when playing in/dropping into a ‘withdrawn role’.
- A competent penalty taker.
- Rapidly became a crowd favourite at Lincoln having made an early impression with two goals at home to Macclesfield and then netting twice at Braintree.
- Rheady finished his first season at Lincoln with 20 goals from 43 appearances in the National League.
- He continued to play an integral part in the Imps' great 2016-17 campaign under Danny Cowley, winning the National League title; reaching the semi-final of the FA Trophy and in becoming the first non-league side for over 100 years to reach the Quarter Final of the FA Cup. In all competitions Rhead was to make 51 and 5 substitute appearances that season scoring 14 goals.
- Played 43 times scoring 8 goals in Sky Bet League 2 in the Imps' return.
- Played in the Imps victorious side against Shrewsbury in the 2017-18 Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley – the first time Lincoln had ever played at Wembley.
- Part of the Imps' Championship winning squad in the 2018-19 season making 34 appearances.
- Became renowned for his tactic of standing in front of the opposition goalkeeper as the keeper tried to ‘line up’ his wall when the Imps had a free kick in shooting distance of goal.
- Although opponents often complained about his use of physical strength he was never sent off playing for the Imps.
- His infectious personality and hard work along with his football skills made him a ‘fans favourite’ and led to the refrain of ‘Rheady, Rheady, Rheady’ echoing around the ground as befit his legendary status.
- Left Lincoln at the start of the 2019-20 season having played 196 games and scoring 50 goals in all competitions for the Imps. In the process gained a National League championship winners medal; a Checkatrade Trophy winners medal and a Sky Bet League Two championship winners medal. Initially went to Billericay and currently Boreham Wood.
