Saturday 2nd May 2020 earmarked twenty-two years since that memorable match against Brighton & Hove Albion, where the Imps clinched promotion following a 2-1 win at home in front of a sell out crowd.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Michael Hortin, goal scorer on the day and former fans favourite Lee Thorpe reflected on that famous season for City.
Looking back on that day, Lee said “It gives you goose bumps when you listen back to the match, I saw the goal on Twitter and it just felt surreal.”
“It doesn’t really feel like it’s you who scored it. It will be with me for the rest of my life, it’s one of those achievements that you always wanted as a kid.”
Lee went on to make over 200 appearances for City, scoring a total of 67 goals making him the 10th all-time scorer for the Club. Terry Fleming scored the opener on that day, poking the ball home from close range, followed by a stunning turn and volley from ‘Thorpey’ to put the Imps 2-0 up.
Thorpe admitted that the team spirit throughout that season was one of the best he’d been involved with as a professional which played a major part in the team getting promoted.
“Even going in to the last game, I was confident we’d get up. When we went in 0-0 at half-time, we thought hang on a minute, but we had so much mental strength thanks to John Beck. That was what he bred into the players and we took this into every game.”
Lee spent four seasons with Blackpool before making the switch to the Imps, and even before he officially signed, he could tell the bond within the group was special.
“It was surreal how I signed for Lincoln in the first place. John Beck knew he already wanted to sign me, but he made me work hard for it.”
“The lads embraced me more or less straight away as I already knew a few of them. It was amazing to be a part of that group.”
“Even when Gareth Ainsworth left for Port Vale, he seemed a little bit disappointed because he knew how special the bond was within this group of lads.”
Lee is now Lead Youth Development Phase Coach at Blackpool and said how he tries to pass down his experiences and team spirit to his players.
“I’m still involved with coaching at Blackpool, and I often talk to young players about my experience within football and how important team spirit is within a group.”
