Keeper Mystery Deepens - Who Does Lcm Think It'll Be?

LCM stresses of course that it has no idea at all who the new stopper might be, but rumours are that his signing will impress Imps fans everywhere and signal the intention the club has to progress. One thing is relatively certain, he'll be six foot plus, and have experience either in our division or higher. LCM have put together a 'wish list' of keepers who might fit the bill.....

1. John Danby - Chester City

Chester Keeper Danby

He spent five seasons with Kidderminster before signing for Chester City in 2006. Danby's time with Kidderminster unfortunately saw them relegated out of the Football League but his own reputation wasn't tarnished as he peformed minor miracles to keep scores at a respectable level.

He was widely expected to step up the ladder but instead opted for ambitious Chester, and he went on to enjoy a successful 2006/07 season. At the end of the season he was named the club's player of the year. Danby was selected in goal for Chester's opening game of the 2007-08 season against Chesterfield and hasn't missed a single game since. In two full seasons at Chester he has not missed any of their 104 competitive first-team matches.

Danby stands at 6'2 tall and is only 24, but is still under contract at Chester and so would come with a fee.

2. Owain Fon Williams

Welshman Williams is currently keeper at Crewe, but they are closing in on a

Welshman Williams

deal for a fresh face after both Owain Williams and Ben Williams decided they wanted a fresh challenge.

He joined the club after impressing during a trial spell and was signed on scholarship forms in 2003. He was first choice for the club's under-19 team but suffered a broken leg during his second year which halted his progress.

Williams is a Wales under-21 international after making his debut in a friendly against Northern Ireland and is currently first choice goalkeeper for the team. He has also played for the Wales under-19 team on several occasions.

He is only 21 years old and stands an impressive 6'4.

3. Ben Smith

A Familiar face - Ben Smith

A face that Imps fans will no doubt remember after his loan spell earlier in the season. Smith has done well at Doncaster, and is highly thought of but it could be that a move up to the Championship see's him replaced. Jacko is a keen admirer of the 21 year old who stands just over the 6 foot mark.

4. Paul Rachubka

Rachubka began his career at Manchester United but made only one first-team appearance in his two years at the club. During his time there, Rachubka was loaned out to Royal Antwerp and to Oldham Athletic.

He later left for Charlton, and featured for Burnley, Huddersfield and Northampton.

After his contract expired with the Charlton, Rachubka took the option to re-

Ex United player and Jacko man Rachubka

sign for one of his old clubs, Huddersfield Town, in 2004. Rachubka was the first-choice goalkeeper at the Galpharm Stadium until Matt Glennon was signed during summer 2006 and seized his chance. However Rachubka had a couple of happy seasons under a certain Peter Jackson.

Recently Rachubka has spent time on loan at Peterborough and most of last season at Blackpool where he was ever present in the Championship. He stands 6'1 and is 27 years old. To add fuel to the rumour Rachubka is also an American national, meaning he may well by away in America, which is where Jacko said his intended target is.


LCM Prediction

If I had to pick from the list above I'd plump for Danby, he's a quality player at this level, a big imposing figure and somebody who's career is heading in the same direction as our club - upwards. However I have serious doubts about whether any of these player have even crossed Jacko's minds, and the LCM prediction is that when the new keeper signs, we will all be very surprised.