To lifelong Imps’ fans, Dean West needs no introduction...
A graduate of the Club’s youth system, Dean made 119 appearances for the Club between 1991 and 1995. Moves to Bury and then Burnley followed, during which time he clocked up another 268 first team appearances in a successful Football League career.
Dean returned to the Imps, followed by a three-year spell at Kings Lynn and since retiring he has enjoyed a number of coaching roles and now, as a parent, enjoys watching his son’s development at the Imps’ Academy.
"Lincoln City is the club which gave me my first opportunity in professional football,” says Dean.
"And, looking back at my time as a trainee at the Club, I remember it fondly. With the ultimate goal of being offered a professional contract, I learned to work as hard as a footballer. It's an opportunity that not many boys get - so you have to make the most of it and give it your best because it can lead to bigger and better opportunities, not just in football but in life itself.
"Now, as a parent with a son at the Academy, I'm hugely impressed by not only the standard of coaching and the standard of players at every age group, but also the feedback and communication from the coaching staff throughout the club. The Academy has a philosophy of hard work coupled with creating a really enjoyable environment, and it has very high standards.
"It's a real honour be an ambassador for Lincoln City’s Youth Department and I fully support the Future Imps Fund. It's vital that a club like Lincoln City retains its close links with the community and we’re working hard to keep local people, fans and businesses involved to help keep this thriving youth system in place.”
LCFC Academy would like to thank The Lincoln Castle Academy for very kindly producing specially branded t-shirts to help promote its new Future Imps Fund initiative. Pictured receiving the t-shirts are Conner Robinson, Future Imps Fund Ambassador Dean West, current scholar and former LCA pupil Kieran Walker, and Gary Jones, LCA PE Teacher and Key Stage Coordinator.
For more information on the FIF email futureimpsfund@redimps.com
