Retro Lincoln City Shirts – The Imps' Incredible Story in Fabric

Lincoln City's history stretches back to 1884, making them one of Lincolnshire's oldest sporting institutions. The club were founding members of the Midland League and spent long stretches of their early existence shuttling between the old Second and Third Divisions of the Football League, establishing themselves as a reliable, if rarely spectacular, lower-league outfit throughout the early twentieth century.

The club's Sincil Bank ground became a fortress of sorts during their more successful post-war years. In the 1975-76 season, Lincoln came agonisingly close to promotion to the Second Division, finishing as champions of the Third Division with some genuinely exciting football. The Imps had their moments of genuine ambition during the late 1970s under Graham Taylor, who used Lincoln as his launching pad before going on to manage Watford, Aston Villa, and England. Taylor's Lincoln played attractive, attacking football and climbed into the Second Division briefly, showcasing what the club could achieve with the right leadership.

The 1990s and 2000s brought relative stability in the lower reaches of the Football League, with the club oscillating between the third and fourth tiers. Then came 2011's devastating blow – automatic relegation from the Football League for the first time in 108 years. For a club of Lincoln's proud league heritage, this was a profound shock.

Yet what the Cowley brothers engineered from 2016 onwards was nothing short of miraculous. Lincoln won the National League title in 2016-17, returning to the Football League in style. Simultaneously, their FA Cup campaign captured the nation's heart: beating Burnley, Brighton, and Ipswich before falling to Arsenal at Sincil Bank in a quarter-final that sold out instantly and was broadcast to millions. It was a moment that reminded everyone what non-league football – and football itself – could mean.

Promotion upon promotion followed. The club won the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2018, and in 2019 they clinched the League Two title to reach League One. After a brief relegation and swift return, Lincoln now compete in League One with genuine ambitions of pushing higher. Rivals Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United have provided fierce regional derbies, but it is the broader story of resurrection that defines modern Lincoln City most powerfully.

Lincoln City's roll of honour includes players who gave everything for the red-and-white stripes, becoming legends through dedication rather than star billing. Grant Brown is perhaps the ultimate Imps icon – a centre-back who made over 400 appearances across two spells at the club, embodying the loyalty and resilience that Lincoln supporters prize above all else.

In the club's celebrated 2016-17 renaissance, Matt Rhead became a cult hero overnight. The big, combative striker was perfectly suited to the Cowley brothers' high-energy pressing game, and his FA Cup heroics – including goals against Football League opposition – made him a symbol of the Imps' defiant spirit. Sean Raggett, who scored the winner against Burnley in that famous FA Cup third round tie, earned a move to Portsmouth on the back of his performances and remains fondly remembered.

Goalkeeper Paul Farman was another crucial figure during the promotion years, while midfielder Alan Power captained the side with genuine authority through some of the club's most turbulent and triumphant times.

Looking further back, Peter Hodge managed Lincoln to their finest early finishes, and striker Tony Emery was a consistent scorer in the 1950s. The Cowley brothers themselves, Danny and Nicky, deserve recognition as figures who transformed not just results but the entire culture of the football club before departing for Huddersfield Town in 2019.

More recently, Tom Hopper, Jorge Grant, and Brennan Johnson – the latter on loan from Nottingham Forest before becoming a Premier League and international star – have thrilled the Sincil Bank crowd and underlined Lincoln's ability to attract quality talent.

Lincoln City's traditional colours of red and white vertical stripes are among the most distinctive in the lower leagues, instantly recognisable and deeply loved by supporters. The classic Imps kit – bold red stripes on white, with the club crest proudly displayed – has remained largely faithful to its roots across the decades, making retro Lincoln shirts particularly appealing to collectors who value continuity and tradition.

The 1970s kits under Graham Taylor carried the utilitarian charm of that era: thick cotton, simple collar designs, and a no-nonsense aesthetic that matched the direct football being played. These are among the most sought-after by serious collectors. The 1980s brought polyester and sponsor logos to Sincil Bank, with various local commercial backers appearing on the chest as the club navigated the commercialisation of football.

The 1990s saw Lincoln, like most clubs, experiment with bolder designs – occasionally straying into away kits of amber or dark blue that provided strong contrast on the road. The early 2000s kits retain a nostalgic charm for supporters who grew up watching the Imps in those steady Football League years.

Perhaps most collectible of all is the retro Lincoln shirt associated with the 2016-17 National League title and FA Cup run – the kit worn during those famous cup giant-killings. A shirt from that season represents not just a design but a moment in football history. Our shop carries 7 retro Lincoln shirts spanning different eras, each a tangible connection to the Imps' extraordinary story.