Scott Kerr approaching Lincoln milestone
By Nathan Jackson
January 30 2011
Bradford vs Lincoln will be a special fixture for Scott Kerr for two reasons. It is a meeting between his current side and his former side, and will also mark his 250th appearance for the Imps. Kerr arrived at Sincil Bank in 2005 from Scarborough and has seen a lot of changes since.
| All Time Leading Appearance Makers | ||
| Player | Appearances | Goals |
| Grant Brown | 469 | 15 |
| Tony Emery | 432 | 1 |
| Dave Smith | 420 | 59 |
| Alan Marriott | 395 | 0 |
| Billy Bean | 391 | 11 |
| Gordon Hobson | 386 | 105 |
| Phil Neale | 369 | 22 |
| Jeff Smith | 351 | 2 |
| Clem Jackson | 345 | 1 |
| George Fraser | 330 | 4 |
| Dan McPhail | 329 | 0 |
| George Whyte | 322 | |
| Harry Pringle | 315 | 64 |
| Fred Middleton | 315 | 16 |
| Harold Troops | 310 | 35 |
| Roger Holmes | 307 | 40 |
| Paul M Smith | 305 | 40 |
| Terry Cooper | 299 | 13 |
| Phil Hubbard | 295 | 16 |
| John Schofield | 293 | 16 |
| Roy Finch | 291 | 58 |
| Andy Graver | 289 | 150 |
| Andy Gardner | 289 | 16 |
| Bert Linnecor | 287 | 55 |
| Phil Turner | 283 | 20 |
| Jim Grummet Jr | 279 | 21 |
| John Kennedy | 278 | 0 |
| George Shipley | 274 | 52 |
| Peter Grotier | 263 | 0 |
| Peter Gain | 263 | 22 |
| John Ward | 263 | 99 |
| Wattie Wilson | 255 | 7 |
| George Pedden | 252 | 18 |
| Bob Jackson | 251 | 0 |
| Scott Kerr | 249 | 9 |
Kerr currently stands at 249 appearances in League and Cup for the Imps (source : Lincoln City Archive). During his time at Sincil Bank he has played under five different managers and survived many numerous player culls to become one of the mainstays of the football club.
To put it into perspective, Kerr will become just the 35th Lincoln player to pass the milestone, the rest reads as a Who's Who of Lincoln City Legends. By the end of this season, Kerr will more than likely move into the top 30 appearance makers for the club, but it's not been an easy journey for Scott Kerr.
Putting it into even more perspective, Scott Kerr has played with a total of 121 different players at this football club.
The midfielder joined in 2005 from Scarborough and came as a no thrills midfielder. He came, did his job and that was it. He scored a few goals every now and then, but that was about it. He had rejected a deal from Grimsby to join the Imps.
He was one of the unsung heroes of the 2006/7 season, living in the shadow of Lee Frecklington, but was still one of the key players in the Imps inevitable failed Playoff campaigns. Kerr was the mainstay of the Lincoln City midfield under Keith Alexander, John Schofield and Peter Jackson, but it wasn't until Chris Sutton first came that Scott Kerr started to suffer some scrutiny.
He was dropped in favour of numerous loanees, but he forced his way back into the first team eventually and reclaimed the captaincy, however, when Chris Sutton left it became a case of Kerr again having to fight for his place in the squad, especially as Tilson didn't seem to prefer him.
However, it's a true testament to his character that he didn't bitch and complain about it, he just got on with it and was recalled a few months back, turning into one of our most consistent performers.
Scott's contract is due to expire at the end of the season but he is one of those with a good chance of getting a new deal, and should he sign a new contract, it is likely hs would become just the 18th player to join a group of players who have made more than 300 appearances for the club.
As you can see from the table on the right (all appearance data gained from Lincoln City's archive), he will have good company in that club, but to simply reach 250 games given how many different managers have been at this club since he arrived is a testament to his determination as a person and a player.
He may not be the best player we'll ever have, but he must have something about him to reach his 250th game for the club.
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Captain Kerr - Might not be the best player in the squad but he's the only legend in the squad. Given this club so much more than most fans seem to have given him. A passionate player who as Nathan pointed out in the article has never given up trying to keep his place and show he's worth it in the team. If theres one thing this club has lacked in the past 5 years its consistency - in results, in managers, in players. The only things that have stayed the same in the past 5 years are the stadium and Scott Kerr. I think every club needs long serving players in it to ever stand a chance of acheiving anything and Scott Kerr and Paul Green are the only two players who come close. IMO both deserve decent new contracts in the summer especially Scott, a great servant to the club and well on his way to becoming a club legend, not for being that star player but for being Mr Lincoln City for the past 5 years.
He showed on Saturday just how valuable he is by turning in what i thought was a MotM performance. He never stopped running and battling and broke up so much of Port Vale's possession.
I always think we are a better team when he is playing as he always gives 100% and inspires others around him to give the same.He has faced adversity and beaten it.
I hope he gets a new contract and continues to battle hard to get us promoted eventually!
Cheers Keith47424 - Hinckley Imp
theimps.ka Best Newcomer award winner 2007-2008 season.