March 3, 2017 9.45 am This story is over 83 months old

New Lincoln City signing is knight in shining armour

Lincoln City Football Club is to welcome an extraordinary new signing to their entourage – a special new knight sculpture which will form part of a city-wide trail this summer. Organisers of the Lincolnshire’s Knights’ Trail Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG have added the special 36th member to the collection in honour of the way the Imps…

Lincoln City Football Club is to welcome an extraordinary new signing to their entourage – a special new knight sculpture which will form part of a city-wide trail this summer.

Organisers of the Lincolnshire’s Knights’ Trail Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG have added the special 36th member to the collection in honour of the way the Imps have been spreading the city’s fame far and wide.

The new Imps red and white sculpture will take up a key position in the trail, which will run from May 20 to September 3, and help to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln and the sealing of the Charter of the Forest.

LCFC Manager Danny Cowley with the Lincs Archives Solutions’ Knight and artist Erin Fleming who has decorated it.

Lincoln City – under the leadership of Manager Danny Cowley and his assistant, brother Nicky – thrilled their fans when they beat Premier side Burnley in the fifth-round of the FA Cup, securing a place in the quarter final.

They meet Arsenal (the Gunners) at the Emirates Stadium on March 11.

Fifth-tier club Lincoln became the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the last eight in the contest in a match with stunned the world of football.

Head of Visit Lincoln Lydia Rusling said: “Our partnership with the Imps is hugely exciting. Lincoln City’s name is on everyones’ lips and its fame is spreading far and wide, at home and worldwide.

“Teaming-up with the club is a “win-win” strategy. The team is doing a fantastic job in helping to put our fabulous historic city on the map. That can only encourage more people to visit us and discover why Lincoln has so much to offer.”

Head of Visit Lincoln Lydia Rusling, the Lincs Archives Solutions’ Knight to which LCFC Manager Danny Cowley has added his initials

On Thursday, March 2 the Cowley brothers signed their names on the Lincs Archiving Solutions’ knight, which is already being decorated in readiness for its place in the trail.

“Lincoln City’s own Knight is on its way. It won’t be ready in time for this week’s press conference at Sincil Bank, but we can’t wait to get it designed, decorated and unveiled,” said Lydia.

Lincoln City Manager Danny Cowley said: “We are delighted to become part of the Lincoln Knights’ Trail and we can’t wait to see our very own Knight decked out in the famous red and white stripes of Lincoln City Football Club.

“The city of Lincoln is steeped in history and for the football club to have become part of that in recent weeks is a fantastic achievement and praise must go to the players who have brought pride and passion back to the Club and city.

“There is a real buzz around the city at the moment and thanks to the support of Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG this can only be increased as our season approaches its final stages.”

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “We are thrilled that the Imps are doing so well and thrusting the team and Lincoln as a great destination into the glare of the spotlight.

“We hope the 36th (Red Imps) Knight will be ready for its close-ups when all the Knights go on display at a media launch taking place at The Showroom, off Tritton Road, Lincoln, on Monday, March 27.

“We are also proud to announce another surprise. We shall be highlighting the city’s pride in Lincoln City with a special street dressing project, which will see red and white bunting being hung in the Bailgate area, later this week.”