The 2022–23 season was the 139th season in the existence of Lincoln City F.C. and the club's fourth consecutive season in League One. In addition to the league, they competed in the 2022–23 FA Cup, the 2022–23 EFL Cup and the 2022–23 EFL Trophy.
Following the departure of Michael Appleton at the end of the 2021–22 season, Mark Kennedy was appointed as head coach resulting in a number of backroom staff changes. At the season close, in May 2023, Lincoln finished 11th in the league with 62 points. They reached the quarter finals of the EFL Trophy and fourth round of the EFL Cup but lost their opening first-round game of the FA Cup to Chippenham Town.
Toward the end of the season work began, following successful planning permission, to extend the Stacey West stand as part of increasing the capacity of the Stadium.
Management Following the departure of Michael Appleton, who had been with the club as head coach for three years, Lincoln appointed former Birmingham City assistant coach Mark Kennedy in early May.
On 10 June, David Kerslake (first-team assistant manager) and Richard O’Donnell (first-team coach) were relieved of their duties, with both going on to join Appleton at his new club, Blackpool. On 27 June, Mike Garrity replaced Kerslake in the assistant head coach role, having left a similar role at Blackpool. At the same time Tom Shaw, who previously had a joint coaching role in the club's academy and as head coach for local non-league side Gainsborough Trinity, was promoted to the first team coaching staff. New Gainsborough Trinity boss Tom's Shaw happy to be back! The Non-League Football Paper, 11 April 2021
Further coaching changes occurred towards the end of pre-season. Scott Fry was appointed the new goalkeeper coach in early July, replacing Steve Croudson who would join Grimsby Town, and Jordan McCann left his role as the clubs head of academy on 1 August.
In December, Garrity left to join Championship side Queens Park Rangers rejoining new head coach Neil Critchley, with whom Garrity had worked at Blackpool. He was replaced by Danny Butterfield on the 23 December. Butterfield had previously worked with Kennedy for a short spell at Macclesfield.
Stadium On 8 June, the club announced that LNER Stadium would have a new capacity of 10,780 following the purchase of the North-East Stand.
On 27 June, GBM took over the naming rights of what was the Lincolnshire Co-Op stand in the LNER Stadium.
On 28 June, Rilmac Group took over the naming rights of what was the South Park stand in the LNER Stadium.
Kit The club launched their 2022–23 home kit on 18 June. The shirt consisted of Lincoln's traditional red and white stripes with black trim and was paired with black shorts and red/white socks. It was manufactured by Erreà, their fifth and final year as kit manufacturer. During the prior season the club had featured five front of shirt sponsors through the year, however on 17 June it was announced that the club would return to a single sponsor, Branston Ltd (a local potato supplier).
On 4 August, the club announced their new away strip for the season.
On 8 September, the club announced their third strip for the season.
Pre-season
The club confirmed three friendlies on 16 May 2022, with two matches scheduled at home against Blackburn Rovers and an as yet unannounced team alongside an away trip to Hartlepool United. On 30 May, the club announced an additional fixture against Gainsborough Trinity, a TBC Championship side behind-doors friendly, and another yet to be announced fixture as well as sending an XI to Sleaford Town, Lincoln United and Eastbourne Borough. The behind-the-doors friendly was confirmed to be Sheffield United on 1 June 2022. The remaining fixtures against Grimsby Town and West Ham United U23 were confirmed on 9 June 2022. The game against West Ham United U23s was later cancelled.
On 24 June, the players reported back to first team training. On 28 July, the club announced squad numbers for the season and confirmed Tom Hopper as the new club captain.
Season Overview August
On 22 August, Chris Maguire was suspended by the club after being charged by The FA for misconduct under FA Rule E8.
September
On 9 September, the fixture against Accrington Stanley was postponed following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
On 15 September, the fixture against Milton Keynes Dons was postponed following international call ups for both sides.
On 16 September, academy products Sean Roughan, Sam Long and Oisin Gallagher were called up for Republic of Ireland U21, Scotland U21 and Republic of Ireland U19 teams respectively.
On 22 September, Jon Pepper was appointed the new head of academy.
On 26 September, Carl Rushworth was called up to the England U21 squad for their upcoming fixture.
November On 4 November, Sam Long was called up the Scotland U21 squad.
On 26 November, the Jabara family increased their stake in the club.
December On 11 December, assistant manager Mike Garrity left the club to join Queens Park Rangers as the assistant manager to Neil Critchley.
On 15 December, the club announced a partnership with US soccer side San Diego Loyal SC.
January On 18 January, the club published their annual accounts for the year ending June 2022.
On 18 January, planning permission was granted to develop the Stacey West stand.
February On 2 February, head of performance Ross Burbeary left the club to join Derby County.
On 7 February, Harvey Jabara and Graham Rossini joined the clubs board.
On 15 February, Pablo Webster, Evan Mitz and Brian Anderson made a significant investment in Lincoln City.
March On 15 March, Sean Roughan, Oisin Gallagher and Julian Donnery were called up for Republic of Ireland U21, Republic of Ireland U19 and Scotland U18 teams respectively.
On 17 March, Carl Rushworth was called up to the England U21 squad for their upcoming fixture.
April On 20 April, Lasse Sørensen was named the PFA Community Champion for Lincoln City.
May On 10 May, the clubs retained list was published.
Competitions League One
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches On Thursday, 23 June 2022, the EFL League One fixtures were revealed.
FA Cup
Lincoln City were drawn away to Hendon or Chippenham Town in the first round on 17 October 2022. It was confirmed as Chippenham Town on 18 October.
EFL Cup
Lincoln were drawn against Doncaster Rovers in the first round on 23 June 2022. The second round draw took place on 10 August 2022 by Clinton Morrison and Michael Gray in which Lincoln were drawn against Barrow. The third round draw took place on 24 August 2022 and Lincoln City were drawn against Bristol City. A trip to Premier League Southampton was next in the fourth round.
EFL Trophy
The Imps were drawn into Group E of the Northern section alongside Doncaster Rover, Barnsley and a TBC invited club. Newcastle United U21 were later added to the group. In the second round, Lincoln were drawn at home against Morecambe. In the third round, Lincoln were drawn at home against either Mansfield Town or Everton U21. The quarter-final draw was made on 15 December and Lincoln were drawn to face Accrington Stanley.
Transfers In DatePos.PlayerTransferred fromFeeRef. 1 July 2022 RB Jay Benn Halifax Town Undisclosed 1 July 2022 CB Paudie O'Connor Bradford City Free transfer 1 July 2022 LW Charles Vernam Bradford City Free transfer 7 July 2022 AM Danny Mandroiu Shamrock Rovers Undisclosed 13 September 2022 CM Jacob Davenport Blackburn Rovers Free transfer 31 January 2023 LW Dylan Duffy UCD Free transfer 31 January 2023 CM Ethan Erhahon St Mirren Undisclosed
Out DatePos.PlayerTransferred toFeeRef. 10 June 2022 RW Theo Archibald Leyton Orient Undisclosed 30 June 2022 GK Matt Boylan Bromley Released 30 June 2022 CM Liam Bridcutt Blackpool Rejected contract 30 June 2022 CF John Marquis Bristol Rovers Released 30 June 2022 CM Conor McGrandles Charlton Athletic Rejected contract 30 June 2022 LB Max Melbourne Morecambe Released 1 July 2022 LB Cohen Bramall Rotherham United Undisclosed 1 September 2022 FW Chris Maguire Hartlepool United Mutual consent 1 September 2022 RW Anthony Scully Wigan Athletic Undisclosed 6 January 2023 LB Jamie Robson Forest Green Rovers Undisclosed 13 January 2023 CM Jacob Davenport Stockport County Released 26 January 2023 CF Tom Hopper Colchester United Undisclosed
Loans in DatePos.PlayerFromUntilRef. 27 June 2022 CM Tashan Oakley-Boothe Stoke City End of Season 8 July 2022 GK Carl Rushworth Brighton & Hove Albion End of Season 11 August 2022 RW Jordon Garrick Swansea City 5 January 2023 29 August 2022 LW Jack Diamond Sunderland 30 March 2023 1 September 2022 CM Matty Virtue Blackpool End of Season 6 January 2023 LB Harry Boyes Sheffield United End of Season 14 January 2023 RW Olamide Shodipo Queens Park Rangers End of Season 30 January 2023 CF Luke Plange Crystal Palace End of Season
Loans out DatePos.PlayerFromUntilRef. 20 July 2022 GK Sam Long Boston United 13 January 2023 10 August 2022 CD Hayden Cann Gainsborough Trinity End of season 12 August 2022 CM Morgan Worsfold-Gregg AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4 January 2023 12 August 2022 CF Jovon Makama Brackley Town 4 January 2023 15 August 2022 LW Hakeeb Adelakun Gillingham End of season 19 August 2022 AM Billy Brooks Lincoln United Work experience 30 August 2022 CF Charley Kendall Sutton United 4 January 2023 6 January 2023 FW Tayo Alexander-Tucker Lincoln United Work experience 6 January 2023 CM Theo Mussell Lincoln United Work experience 26 January 2023 CF Charley Kendall Bromley End of season 31 January 2023 GK Sam Long Bromley 25 March 2023 31 January 2023 CF Freddie Draper Drogheda United End of season 31 January 2023 RB Elicha Ahui Drogheda United End of season 4 February 2023 CM Oisin Gallagher Barwell Work experience 4 February 2023 CM Julian Donnery Barwell Work experience 10 February 2023 RB Jay Benn Bohemians End of season 12 February 2023 CB Nathan Kabeya Bromsgrove Sporting 12 March 2023 17 February 2023 CM Morgan Worsfold-Gregg Cleethorpes Town End of season 17 March 2023 CB Darryl Powell Bromsgrove Sporting End of season
Contracts DatePos.PlayerLengthExpiryRef. 26 September 2022 FW Freddie Draper — — 1 February 2023 CM Oisin Gallagher — — 23 February 2023 CB MJ Kamson-Kamara — — 19 April 2023 GK Jordan Wright 2 years June 2025 7 May 2023 CB Adam Jackson 2 years June 2025
Squad statistics Appearances
|colspan="12" style="text-align:center;" |Away on loan
|colspan="12" style="text-align:center;" |No longer at the club
Goalscorers
Includes all competitive matches.
PlayerLeague OneFA CupEFL CupEFL TrophyTotal1FW18Ben House12010132FW27Jack Diamond600283FW19Danny Mandroiu600174MF10Teddy Bishop301265FW9Tom Hopper200356MF26Matty Virtue301047DF2Regan Poole20013FW11Anthony Scully10203MF21Lasse Sørensen300038FW11Olamide Shodipo20002DF15Paudie O'Connor10102DF24Sean Roughan100129DF5Adam Jackson10001MF6Max Sanders10001FW7Charles Vernam00011FW14Jordon Garrick00101DF16Joe Walsh10001FW28Dylan Duffy10001FW32Jovon Makama00011FW34Freddie Draper00011FW46Charley Kendall00101Own goals 1 0 1 02Total 47 0 9 1369
Disciplinary record