The FPA guests for Saturday's home game against Burnley are hosts Gavin Gordon and Matt Carmichael, plus Dean West, Simon Russell and Brian Logan.
Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon was a striker who made his senior debut for Hull City just two months after his 16th birthday and went on to make regular first team appearances for the Tigers before he was sold to the Imps in November 1997 when he was still just 18-years-old.
In his first season, he helped City win promotion and was a first team regular. In 2000-01 he scored 10 goals by early December and was then sold to Cardiff City for a six-figure fee. He later played for Notts County. Gavin is chairman of the Former Players Association.
Lincoln City record:
Debut: vs Swansea City, away 8 November 1997
Football League: 87 appearances plus 12 as substitute, 28 goals
FA Cup: 9 appearances, 2 goals
Football League Cup: 2 appearances, 1 goal
Other: 4 appearances plus 1 as substitute
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 Colin 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 vice chairman of the Former Players Association.
Lincoln City record:
Debut: vs Scunthorpe, home 19 August 1989
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
Dean West
Dean West made his debut for City in the final game of the 1990-91 season while still a trainee and scored in a 6-2 home win over Carlisle.
Soon afterwards, he signed a professional contract and quickly established himself in the first team appearing at right back and in midfield making over 100 appearances for the Imps.
Dean moved to Bury in September 1995 and later played for Burnley completing over 100 first team appearances for both Lancashire clubs.
He briefly returned to City as the start of 2004-05 season and later played clubs including Boston United and King’s Lynn.
Lincoln City record
Debut: vs Carlisle United, home 11 May 1991
Football League: 97 appearances plus 26 as substitute, 20 goals
FA Cup: 6 appearances, 1 goal
Football League Cup: 11 appearances, 1 goal
Football League Trophy: 5 appearances plus 2 as substitute, 1 goal
Simon Russell
Simon Russell was a midfield player who signed for the Imps from Cambridge United in the summer of 2011 following City’s relegation out of the Football League.
He played regularly during 2011-12 season as City adjusted to life in non-league football with his only goal coming in a 3-0 home win over Ebbsfleet.
He left Sincil Bank at the end of the season and later appeared for Alfreton, Gainsborough Trinity, North Ferriby and Tadcaster.
Simon started his career as a trainee with Hull, making a couple of first team appearances for the Tigers and went on to play for Kidderminster and York before joining Cambridge.
Lincoln City record:
Debut: vs Southport, away 13 August 2011
Football Conference: 17 appearances plus 1 as substitute, 1 goal
FA Cup: 1 appearance
FA Trophy: 2 appearances plus 1 as substitute
Brian Logan
Brian Logan is a former youth team player who joined the Imps as a 15-year-old in 1969 when the club’s then manager Ron Gray was looking to sign and develop young players. Brian left Sincil Bank without appearing in the Football League. He continued playing in local football and was later involved in coaching Lincoln Moorlands. Brian is well-known locally for his involvement with Lincoln Golf Centre which he has owned and run with his family for over 20 years.
