Lincoln City’s wait for a new manager may not be as long as first thought, with various reports linking the club to Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley.
The Imps have been on the lookout for a new manager since Michael Appleton announced his departure after the conclusion of the League One season, and a host of names were initially linked to the club.
The likes of England under-19s manager Ian Foster and former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson were considered early favourites, but a young coach making waves in Ireland now seems to be leading the race.
Stephen Bradley, 37, is being reported as Lincoln City’s top target, with some outlets in Ireland – including RTE – suggesting that an official approach has been made by the Imps in a bid to accelerate talks.
With this in mind, and with many people perhaps not knowing his background or abilities as a manager before the rumour mill began, let’s take a look at the career of Stephen Bradley as well as what he may bring to Lincoln City.
Stephen Bradley’s career and credentials
Bradley was a Republic of Ireland under-21 international in his playing career, making over 100 appearances in his country of birth for the likes of Limerick, St Patrick’s Athletic, Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers.
The latter of these teams is where he got his managerial break, becoming head coach at Shamrock Rovers in November 2016. He guided the side to their first silverware in eight years with an FAI Cup win in 2019, and has gone from strength to strength since.
Shamrock Rovers won their 18th league title in 2020 under Bradley’s management, wrapping the season up with four games to spare. They then retained the title in 2021, winning the league by sixteen points.
He has a 57% win percentage at Shamrock, and is a two time winner of the PFAI Manager of the Year award. His football is described as open and attacking, utilising a back three system that relies on creativity and energy.
His time winning trophies in Ireland has also allowed for a few European nights to remember for Stephen Bradley, too. In the last couple of years his side have competed well against Slovan Bratislava and seven time European Champions AC Milan.
Stephen Bradley has been on the radar of a number of English clubs for some time now. He was one of the frontrunners to replace Russell Martin at MK Dons earlier in the season, and no secret has been made of his ambition as a manager.
While we will never know until seeing him take charge of games for Lincoln, his philosophy, track record and youthful exuberance definitely fit the profile for what the board will be looking for in Michael Appleton’s replacement as manager.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
Whatsapp
