November 1, 2017 10.50 am This story is over 90 months old

Lincoln City FA Cup run brings ‘baby boom’ to the city

Is the romance of the FA Cup dead? Certainly not in Lincoln

Four newborn babies and their parents gathered at Sincil Bank with the FA Cup trophy

Who said the romance of the FA Cup was dead? It certainly wasn’t for some Lincoln City fans as a group of young Imps were born from last season’s famous run.

The Imps became the first non-league team for over 100 years to reach the quarter-final as they overcame the likes of Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley before losing to eventual winners Arsenal.

As Lincoln prepare for their first round FA Cup tie away to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, November 4, the club tracked down the newborns and parents to share their story, including one baby call Lincoln.

The newborns were at Sincil Bank with the FA Cup trophy on Monday (October 30) along with chairman Bob Dorian and Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley to talk about the legacy of last year’s competition.

Reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup was just one chapter of the story which saw Danny Cowley’s Lincoln City win the National League with 99 points and reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

Chairman of Lincoln City, Bob Dorian said: “Seeing the junior Imps alongside the trophy has truly reinforced, in my mind, the transformational effect that last season’s Emirates FA Cup run has had on both this club and city. We look forward to seeing these ‘Lincoln babies’ grow up supporting the club and the competition.

“From a financial perspective the cup’s legacy lives on, season ticket sales are the highest they’ve been in over 20 years and attendance at games is up by 300%.”

Lincoln City’s FA Cup run can be added to other famous baby booms from sporting events such as Barcelona beating Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2009 and Iceland’s 2-1 victory over England in Euro 2016.

Chris Burke, Lincoln City Mayor, said: “The ‘Lincoln babies’ are just one example of the lasting impact the club’s Emirates FA Cup Run has had on the community.

“Reaching the quarter final stage of the competition made news up and down the country and really put Lincoln on the map. The excitement felt in the city has definitely carried over to this season, and everyone is fully behind the club as they embark on this year’s Emirates FA Cup adventure.”