Imps players snub for Team Of The Year awards

Last updated : 21 April 2005 By Gary Hutchinson
Should have been keeper of the year three seasons on the bounce!!!
The current Imps squad have been angered in the past two years by the awards which are voted on in December, as as none of the squad have featured. This years votes added to that dreadful trend despite the Imps looking set to be the second team to reach three consecutive play off appearances.

The Imps players were obviously irate at the continued snub and only voted for Ex-Imps in the poll! This meant players such as Justin Walker, Stuart Bimson and Lee Thorpe got votes ahead of supposed achievers such as Lee (10-10-10-9) Trundle and Peter (grey vote) Beagrie.

It seems incredulous that over the past three seasons consistent performers like Alan Marriott, Paul Morgan and Peter Gain have not made the squad. Three conescutive appearances in the play off lottery surely demonstrates the consistency and talent in the Imps squad. Perhaps the biggest travesty of all is that Alan Marriott continues to be overlooked despite being the best keeper in League Two bar none. Players such as John Danby and John Ruddy have pushed Mazza, but 'Englands Number One' as he is affectionately known has at times won more points for the Imps than any other player. Crucial penalty stops and at least two excellent saves per game haven't swayed players from other clubs to vote for him, which is a surprise when you consider he's kept out Lee Trundle, Lee Thorpe, Freddy Eastwood (bar one dodgy penalty), Jon Parkin, Phil Jevons, etc etc etc. In fact Mazza is probably the only keeper in League Two who could keep out Simon Yeo, another player overlooked by his peers.

Sadly it seems that a disdain for the image of Lincoln created by the media and opposing fans have kept very talented players out of the squad. Other teams don't like losing at Lincoln, and unfortunately good players are missing out on accolades they should be picking up by the lorryload.