UK Stadiums: Sincil Bank Stadium, (LNER Stadium), Lincoln City, Lincoln, England
The LNER Stadium (previously known as Sincil Bank) in Lincoln is the historic home of Lincoln City Football Club, located in the center of the city. Opened in 1895, the stadium has a current capacity of around 10,669 and is one of the oldest football grounds in the UK. York City FC play at the similarly named LNER Community Stadium.
Capacity
The current capacity of the LNER Stadium is 10,669.
Stands
The ground has four main stands. These are the GBM Stand, formerly known as the Sincil Bank Stand, runs along one side of the pitch and serves as the main stand, housing the dugouts, executive boxes, and player facilities. It is the largest stand at the ground and can accommodate 5,700 spectators.
The Rilmac Stand, behind one goal, is often used by away supporters and is known for its more traditional, compact design.
Behind the other goal is the Stacey West Stand (the traditional home end up until 2013). It accommodates both home and away fans depending on the fixture, and is known for its passionate atmosphere.
The Greenlinc Renewables Stand with a capacity of 1,700 dates from 1987 and replaced the old St Andrews Stand. It runs half the length of the pitch and houses the press box and Directors' enclosure.
Poacher's Den is a family-friendly area open to supporters of both sides ahead of games at the ground.
Club History
Lincoln City Football Club, founded in 1884 became founder members of the Second Division in 1892 but spent much of their history in the lower tiers of English football. The club has experienced several ups and downs, including multiple relegations from the Football League, most notably in 2011. However, Lincoln made a historic comeback in 2017 by becoming the first non-league team in over 100 years to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and earned promotion back to League Two the same season. Under the Cowley brothers, Danny and Nicky, they rose to League One in 2019, marking a new era of growth and ambition.
The club's nickname is 'The Imps' after the Lincoln Imp in Lincoln Cathedral. The Lincoln Imp is a famous stone figure perched high inside Lincoln Cathedral, said to have been turned to stone by an angel after causing mischief. It has become a beloved symbol of the city.
Players & Managers
The Imps have seen several notable players and managers who have left a lasting impact on the club's history. Among the most famous managers is Graham Taylor, who began his managerial career at Lincoln in the 1970s and led the club to the Fourth Division title in 1976 before moving on to manage Watford and England. More recently, Danny and Nicky Cowley became iconic figures after guiding Lincoln to an FA Cup quarter-final in 2017 and back-to-back promotions, reviving the club's fortunes
On the pitch, legendary striker Andy Graver remains the club's all-time leading goal scorer, having netted over 140 goals in three spells during the 1950s and early 1960s. Gareth Ainsworth, who later became a successful manager, also made a name for himself as a dynamic midfielder in the 1990s and scored an impressive 37 goals in 83 games for the club between 1995 and 1997. In recent times, Alan Power (2011-2017) and Matt Rhead (2015-2019) became fan favourites for their roles in the club's non-league resurgence and EFL success.
Access - Getting There
The nearest railway station to the ground is Lincoln Station just 15-20 minutes or so on foot to the north. Lincoln Station (previously Lincoln Central) has trains to King's Cross, as well as connections to Leicester, Nottingham, Grimsby, Leeds, Sheffield and Huddersfield (on Sundays).
Lincoln Central bus station is close to the train station and is the hub for National Express coaches with destinations including London Stratford and London Victoria.
By car from London, take the M11 and A1 or the A1(M) and A1. Journey time is around 3 hours.
From Manchester take the M62 and A15 or the A57 via Sheffield.
Address: Sincil Bank, Lincoln, LN5 8LD
Nearby Hotels
Near Lincoln city center and Lincoln Cathedral are several recommended places to stay. These include the 4-star The Lincoln Hotel, the 3-star Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre By IHG and the 4-star Duke William Hotel.
See here for a complete listing of hotels in Lincoln.
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