April 22, 2017 2.37 pm This story is over 83 months old

Lincoln City crowned National League champions after beating Macclesfield Town 2-1

After six long years, Lincoln City have finally regained their rightful place in the Football League in front of a sell-out Sincil Bank this afternoon. The BT Sport cameras were filming the Imps for a record 12th time this season, and they captured euphoric scenes as City finally secured the National League title. #CHAMPIONS @LincolnCity_FC…
Celebrating the National League cup win: A mass pitch gathering after the result. Photo: Andy Craggs (@andrewpccraggs)

After six long years, Lincoln City have finally regained their rightful place in the Football League in front of a sell-out Sincil Bank this afternoon.

The BT Sport cameras were filming the Imps for a record 12th time this season, and they captured euphoric scenes as City finally secured the National League title.

Lincoln City 2 – 1 Macclesfield Town

Goals:

  • Lincoln City – Terry Hawkridge (29′minutes, 76′minutes)
  • Macclesfield Town: Mitch Hancox (23′ minutes)

Referee: Tom Nield
Attendance: 10,031

A little under 12 months ago manager Danny Cowley gave up his role as a PE teacher to manage Lincoln full time, bring his brother Nicky with him as assistant.

Danny and Nicky Cowley opening the new library at Sir Robert Pattinson School. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A semi-final appearance in the FA Trophy would usually be the highlight of a National League team’s season, but for Lincoln their two-legged defeat at the hands of York City is merely a subplot to a much grander story.

They captured the hearts of the nation with a record breaking FA Cup run that saw no less than four acts of giant-killing culminating in an historic win at Premier League Burnley, the club’s reward for that was a trip to one of Europe’s finest stadiums to face Arsenal.

Away from the glitz and the glamour there has been a much bigger task on the go, one that would ultimately reinstate the Imps pride and dignity. Since miserably slipping out of the Football League six years ago they have been forced to battle along in what must be one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

They’ve chased just one automatic promotion spot this season, only by finishing top could they achieve the dream of league football once again. In mid-November, they trailed Forest Green Rovers by nine points, but a great run of form saw them claim the top spot by January.

Since then they’ve held off a valiant challenge from Tranmere Rovers, and in recent weeks they have delivered some iconic moments for fans to savour. On Good Friday, they trailed Torquay 1-0 with just five minutes to play but went on to win 2-1.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

On Easter Monday, they trailed Gateshead 1-0 with the full 90 minutes having been played, but once again they staged an unbelievable come back to win that match 2-1 also. That set up the clash this afternoon that meant a win would take Lincoln back to the football league.

As they have all season they stuck to a game plan and delivered the result that means next season they will once again kick-off as one of the 92 members of England’s professional league.