A Year in Review : May 2010

May is usually a slow month for Lincoln, the season ends, players get released and that's about it, but the summer also started with some players joining the club. The club also ended the season with just a point from their two games in May.

With Football League status secured, the Imps were able to relax going into their final two games of the season and it clearly told as the Imps dominated down at Aldershot. City missed chances galore before Davide Somma deservedly put the Imps in the lead, however, Aldershot secured their Playoff place thanks to three late goals, two from Marvin Morgan and another from Dean Morgan.

Monday May 3^rd saw a game held at Sincil Bank to celebrate the life of Keith Alexander. A Keith Alexander XI took on an All Star XI in a thrilling match ended 4-4 and became 14-a-side at one point. The penalty shoot out was also comedically taken with both teams eventually having all their players stood on the line. The All Star XI eventually came out on top in the shoot out in front of 3,541 fans from Lincoln, Peterborough, Macclesfield and several other teams.

The Keith Alexander XI that day included Lincoln legends, such Alan Marriott (right), the all time leading appearance maker for a goalkeeper at Lincoln, as well as the most clean sheets.

Paul Connor was released from his City contract before the season ended with a dull 0-0 draw with Macclesfield, only lightened up by Davide Somma getting sent off.

Despite making several costly errors during the season, and failing to keep a clean sheet for 25 games, Rob Burch was given Player of the Season. Scott Kerr came second with Davide Somma and Cian Hughton coming third.

 Only one player was released at the end of the season, Sam Clucas. The youngster had only played one game for the Imps and it hadn’t come as much of a surprise. Rob Burch, Brian Gilmour, Paul Green, Clark Keltie and Scott Kerr were all offered new contracts, and loanees Steven Lennon and Davide Somma were both offered permanent deals by the club. Green and Kerr, being the two longest serving players, very quickly signed their contracts, but Richard Butcher left Sincil Bank following a difficult third spell at the club. Lenell John-Lewis also left City, having his contract terminated by mutual consent.

In an unusual feat by a Lincoln manager, Chris Sutton was quick to sign some players in the summer. Josh O’Keefe became the first to join the club and he was quickly followed by Mustapha Carayol. Keltie signed his new contract before the end of the month.