April 16, 2015 11.14 am This story is over 106 months old

Lincoln City FC crowdfunder backed by former England manager

World first: The company helping Lincoln City FC create a Dambusters mosaic believes the stand would attract interest from across the globe.

A £150,000 fundraising project to support Lincoln City Football Club has received backing from former England manager Graham Taylor, who played for and managed the Imps in a nine-year spell from 1968 to 1977.

The scheme to bring a giant Dambusters mosaic to Sincil Bank launched strongly, but over £100,000 remains to be raised by donations.

The company helping Lincoln City FC create a Dambusters mosaic at Sincil Bank believes the stand would attract interest from across the globe.

Arena Stadia Seating has completed a number of international high profile projects and has installed seats at sporting venues such as Old Trafford and Twickenham as well as being the company behind the creation of the face of Bill Shankly at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium.

However, the organisation, which has also constructed a camel racing track in Dubai, believes the project at Sincil Bank will be their most ambitious yet, if it gets the funding it needs.

Stadium Business Manager for the company Simon Wake said: “There’s really nothing else like this anywhere in the world and if it does get the go-ahead I’ve got no doubt it will receive a lot of interest internationally,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic idea and a really exciting project which will really put Lincoln in the
spotlight.

“Certainly we will be promoting it during the work we do across the globe and who knows what other benefits that may bring for the club.

“I hope the fans and the city get behind the project. It will be so disappointing if it never sees the light of day.”

Lincoln City's plans to create a giant Dambusters mosaic to raise funds

Lincoln City’s plans to create a giant Dambusters mosaic to raise funds

The mosaic will cost £100,000 and the remaining funds would be used to help pay off the club’s £380,000 debt which has been called in by the Co-operative Bank.

In the first week alone, over £30,000 had been crowdfunded, but the club has renewed its appeal as it will need twice as many pledges daily in the remaining time to reach the £150,000 target.

If installed, the mosaic will show an image of a Lancaster bomber and a silhouette of the Lincoln Cathedral alongside the iconic RAF target logo and the Dambusters name.

The Lancaster bomber image which will be used has been created by renowned Lincolnshire aviation artist Simon Atack.

Lincolnshire artist Simon Atack's painting of a Lancaster bomber

Lincolnshire artist Simon Atack’s painting of a Lancaster bomber

A team of five from Barnsley-based Arena Stadia Seating, which manufactures the seats as well as installs them, would take around four weeks to complete the work in the close season.

Imps acting managing director Kevin Cooke said: “We just need everyone to make the effort to pledge. It would be a really good opportunity missed if we fall short. I would urge everyone to please give as much as you can.”

Supporters of the project can pledge from £5 to over £1,000 at the crowdfunding page.