The FPA guests for Saturday's game against Bristol Rovers are Roger Holmes, Steve Holmes, Joe Kelleher, Andy Ottewell, Matt Carmichael and Fred Coatsworth.
The host will be Warren Ward, with details of the guests below:
Roger Holmes
Roger Holmes signed amateur forms for the Imps in May 1958 when he was just 15 years old having previously been playing for Limestone Rangers in the Gainsborough League. Roger made his reserve team debut four days after his 16th birthday and in September 1959 signed as a professional having already broken into the first team who were then playing in the Second Division (now the Championship). Roger was a skilful player who appeared in several different positions including winger, inside-forward and right half and made over 300 first team appearances for City. He featured in every game of the Football League Cup run in 1967-68 when the Imps reached the fourth round and finished the season as leading scorer with 14 league goals plus another three in the League Cup. The following season he suffered a serious injury in the home game against York City which put him out of action for a lengthy period. Roger played his final game for the Imps in a 3-2 home win against Peterborough in October 1971. He is involved in our Former Players Association as a committee member.
Debut vs Brighton, away 18 April 1960
Lincoln City record
Football League: 276 appearances plus 2 as substitute, 36 goals
FA Cup: 13 appearances, 1 goal
Football League Cup: 16 appearances, 3 goals
Steve Holmes
Steve Holmes was a defender who initially joined City as a trainee in 1988 and was an unused substitute for the first team on three occasions while a teenager before being released. He played for Gainsborough Trinity and then Guisborough Town before getting a second chance at a Football League career when he signed for Preston in March 1994. He returned to Lincoln in October 1995 on loan and after a brief spell back at Preston signed a permanent deal with the Imps in March 1996. Steve was a key member of the City team that won promotion to third tier football in 1997-98 and in 1998-99 was voted City's Player of the Season. Playing at centre back he was top scorer in 2000-01 with 11 League goals including a run where he scored in four consecutive games. He went on to make over 200 first team appearances for City before leaving the club in the summer of 2002.
Debut vs Cardiff City, home 21 October 1995
Lincoln City record
Football League: 197 appearances plus 4 as substitute, 34 goals
FA Cup: 10 appearances, 2 goals
Football League Cup: 9 appearances, 2 goals
Other: 10 appearances, 1 goal
Joe Kelleher
Joe Kelleher made his only first team appearance for the Imps as a youngster when he took the place of the injured Graham Taylor at right back for an FA Cup first round tie in 1970 helping City to a 2-1 home win over Barrow. Joe began playing for City’s youth team in the 1964-65 season and later progressed to playing for the reserves. After leaving Lincoln, Joe played for Bourne Town, Ruston Bucyrus and Ruston Sports as well as Sunday football and played representative football for the Lincoln Sunday League.
Debut vs Barrow, home (FA Cup) 21 November 1970
Lincoln City record
FA Cup: 1 appearance
Andy Ottewell
Andy Ottewell was an apprentice at Sincil Bank between 1971 and 1973 appearing as a striker for the reserves and youth team. He went on to play in the Lincolnshire League for teams including Ruston Sports as well as playing local Sunday League football.
Fred Coatsworth
Fred Coatsworth is a local lad who played first team football for Lincoln United before signing a professional contract for Scunthorpe United shortly after his 17th birthday. He appeared in the Football League for Scunthorpe but after two years with the Iron he moved on to play in the Southern League for Rugby Town. Fred then had a short spell with Gainsborough Trinity before returning to Lincoln United. He also had a successful career playing in the Lincoln Sunday League.
Matt Carmichael
Matt Carmichael was signed by Colin Murphy in August 1989. At the time he was planning to join the Met Police after having previously served in the British Army but Lincoln offered him a professional contract and his career changed track. He was initially used as a striker and scored on his debut against Scunthorpe United but later converted to centre back. He was voted the supporters player of the season in 1991-92 and made over 150 first team appearances before moving on to Scunthorpe in July 1993. Matt later played for Preston, Mansfield, Doncaster and Darlington. Matt is a Former Players Association vice-chairman.
Debut vs Scunthorpe, home 19 August 1989
Lincoln City record
Football League: 113 appearances plus 20 as substitute, 18 goals
FA Cup: 4 appearances plus 1 as substitute
Football League Cup: 9 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 1 goal
Other: 7 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 2 goals
Click HERE to purchase hospitality tickets for Saturday's game.
