August 29, 2019 2.42 pm This story is over 55 months old

‘A deserved opportunity’: Lincoln City FC coach parade cost revealed

The parade was held after the Imps clinched the League Two title
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Lincoln City FC bus parade, held to celebrate the club’s League Two success, cost the council £20,000.

The figure was revealed during a report on the authority’s first quarter financial performance before executive councillors on Wednesday night.

The parade was held in May after the Imps clinched the League Two title with a goalless draw against Tranmere on Easter Monday.

The Imps secured promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Council leader Ric Metcalfe called the parade, which started at South Park before wending a three-mile route through the town, a “huge success with tens of thousands of people lining the city’s streets”.

“Our role was to ensure that everyone could enjoy a fun, safe, family-friendly event,” he said.

“Undertaking this public protection role and ensuring the event was safe for all inevitably came with a cost.”

He said the achievements had resulted in a “very positive impact on the feeling of pride within Lincoln and brought massive benefits to the local economy.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

“The support shown by the people of the city, and beyond, played a major part in the team’s success and they deserved the opportunity to celebrate the club becoming champions of League Two.

“There was overwhelming support in the city for the parade to take place.

“We need to grab these opportunities when they happen, as they do not come along very often – although, at the moment, they certainly seem to!”

Last season’s result was management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley’s third trophy in three seasons, adding the 2018/19 title to their  2016/17 National League title and 2017/18 Checkatrade Trophy.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

On Wednesday night Lincoln City lost 4-2 against Everton at Sincil Bank, knocking them out of the Carabao Cup.

So far this season, Lincoln have won three out of their first five matches and currently sit seventh in the league with nine points.

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