Lincoln Red Imps F.C. Explained

Clubname:Lincoln Red Imps
Fullname:Lincoln Red Imps Football Club
Founded: as Blue Batons
Short Name:Lincoln
Nickname:The Red Imps
Ground:Victoria Stadium
Capacity:5,000
Chrtitle:Owner
Chairman:Dylan Viagas
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Javi Muñoz
League:Gibraltar Football League
Season:2023–24
Position:1st
Website:http://lincolnredimpsfc.co.uk
Pattern La1:_lincoln2223h
Pattern B1:_lincoln2223h
Pattern Ra1:_lincoln2223h
Pattern Sh1:_lincoln2223h
Leftarm1:000000
Body1:FF0000
Rightarm1:000000
Shorts1:FFFFFF
Socks1:FF0000
Pattern La2:_lincoln2223a
Pattern B2:_lincoln2223a
Pattern Ra2:_lincoln2223a
Pattern Sh2:_lincoln2223a
Leftarm2:FFFFFF
Body2:FFFFFF
Rightarm2:FFFFFF
Shorts2:000000
Socks2:FFFFFF

Lincoln Red Imps Football Club is a professional football club from Gibraltar.[1] They play in the Gibraltar National League, and share Victoria Stadium with all other clubs in the territory.[2] They are the country's record champion with 27 league titles, including fourteen consecutive titles between 2003 and 2016, and in 2014 were the first team to represent Gibraltar in the UEFA Champions League's qualifying stage. In August 2021, Lincoln became the first club from Gibraltar to ever reach the group stages of a European club competition after defeating the Latvian champions Riga FC in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The club has won 7 domestic trebles and 4 doubles in its history.[3] They hold the record for Europe's longest chronological unbeaten league run of 88 matches over 1,959 days from May 2009 to September 2014.[4]

History

The football club was formed in 1976 by Elton Duarte in the quarry pitch. A group of players associated to the old Police youth team called the "Blue Batons" and complemented by players that had been released by Glacis United and St Jago's joined forces to form the first Lincoln team that played in the Gibraltar fourth division as a youth team. The team was named after Lincoln City FC, who are nicknamed the "Imps" after the legend of the Lincoln Imp. Lincoln Red Imps received their name after they were sponsored by Reg Brealey, the former Sheffield United chairman and Lincoln resident who is friends with Charles Polson.[5] [6] [7]

When this Lincoln team became old enough to play Senior Football, it was decided to place the young team into the GFA second division. The team started to climb to the top in the second division in the season 1981–82 winning the league, the division cup and gaining promotion to the GFA's first division after only one season. The next year Lincoln finished in mid table in the first division. In 1983–84 Lincoln won the league and promotion to the Gibraltar Premier Division.[8]

In 1984–85 Lincoln played their first season in the Gibraltar Premier Division in which they were joint champions with Glacis United – the first of seven league titles which were won between 1984 and 1994.

Lincoln won 14 Gibraltar Premier Division titles in a row from 2003 to 2016, bettering the previous record of nine in a row held by Glacis United in the 1960s. They also won the national treble of League, Rock Cup and Senior Cup in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

2014

In 2014, after Gibraltar had joined UEFA as the 54th member, Lincoln became the first Gibraltarian team to play in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. After claiming a 1–1 draw in the home match, they lost 5–2 at Faroese team HB and were eliminated in the first qualifying round.[9]

2015

Lincoln won both the 2015 Rock Cup with a 4–1 victory over Lynx F.C.[10] and the 2014–15 Gibraltar Premier Division championship by 16 points,[11] again playing in the qualification stages for the UEFA Champions League for with their second straight double.[12] In the First Qualifying Round Lincoln were drawn against FC Santa Coloma of Andorra.[13] After a scoreless draw in the first leg in Gibraltar,[14] the club earned a 2–1 victory at the Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella to advance to the Second Qualifying Round with goals coming from Anthony Bardon and Lee Casciaro.[15] With the victory, Lincoln became the first club from Gibraltar to reach the second round of UEFA Champions League qualification, setting up an encounter with 2015 Danish champions FC Midtjylland,[16] which Lincoln Red Imps lost on aggregate 0–3.

2016

In 2016 Lincoln pulled off a surprise victory against Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, with a 1–0 victory at home after a 48th-minute strike from Lee Casciaro in the club's second round match of the UEFA Champions League qualifying stage.The match was Brendan Rodgers first competitive fixture as manager of Celtic.[17] The Glasgow side still comfortably qualified with a 3–0 victory in the return leg at Celtic Park. It is still seen as one of Celtic's worst moments.

2021

On 26 August 2021, Lincoln became the first team from Gibraltar to qualify for the group stage in a European Competition, as they defeated Riga FC by a score of 3–1 (4–2 aggregate) and advanced to the group stage of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.[18]

Seasons (since UEFA acceptance)

SeasonDivisionLeague recordRock CupPepe Reyes
Cup
Europe
width=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=colwidth=15 scope=col data-sort-type=numberscope=colCompetitionscope=colResult
scope=row2013–14Premier141130666361stWinnersRunners-up
scope=row2014–15Premier2119118012581stWinnersWinnersChampions LeagueFirst qualifying round
scope=row2015–16Premier2725111309761stWinnersWinnersChampions LeagueSecond qualifying round
scope=row2016–17Premier27233110016722ndRunners-upRunners-upChampions LeagueSecond qualifying round
scope=row2017–18Premier2721247119651stWinnersEuropa LeagueFirst qualifying round
scope=row2018–19Premier2721338419661stRunners-upChampions League
Europa League
Preliminary round
Second qualifying round
scope=row2019–20National1713046815393rdAbandonedRunners-upChampions League
Europa League
Preliminary round
Second qualifying round
scope=row2020–21National2015326213481stWinnersEuropa LeagueSecond qualifying round
scope=row2021–22National2019106517581stWinnersRunners-upChampions League
Europa League
Europa Conference League
Second qualifying round
Third qualifying round
Group stage
scope=row2022–23National2017126814521stRunners-upWinnersChampions League
Europa Conference League
First qualifying round
Second qualifying round
scope=row2023–24National2521228615651stWinnersRunners-upChampions League
Europa Conference League
First qualifying round
Third qualifying round

Stadium

Lincoln currently plays all league games at the 2,000-seat Victoria Stadium. The club share this ground with all clubs currently participating in the Gibraltar Premier Division, as well as the Gibraltar Women's Football League, of which Lincoln also runs a team.

Due to the ground's failure to meet guidelines in the 2017–18 season, Lincoln, along with Europa and St Joseph's, were forced to play their European competition matches at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal, while improvements were carried out on Victoria Stadium.

It is expected that the ground will be renovated and expanded to a football specific stadium with a capacity of 8,000 by 2021.[19]

Honours

28[20]

1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24

20[21]

1985–86, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2021–22, 2023–24

12[22]

2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022

18[23]

1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14

European record

See also: Gibraltarian football clubs in European competitions. Lincoln's first qualifying round match of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League marked the first match played by a Gibraltarian club in UEFA competition. After converting a penalty, a second half goal was conceded and the game ended in a draw.[24]

Overall

CompetitionPldWDLGFGAGD
2273122435–11
112361122
121110727–20
Overall45107274284–42

Matches

SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregateY/N
2014–15UEFA Champions League1Q HB Tórshavn1–12–53–6
2015–16UEFA Champions League1Q Santa Coloma0–02–12–1
2Q Midtjylland0–20–10–3
2016–17UEFA Champions League1Q Flora Tallinn2–01–23–2
2Q Celtic1–00–31–3
2017–18UEFA Europa League1Q AEK Larnaca1–10–51–6
2018–19UEFA Champions LeaguePR La Fiorita2–0
Drita1–4
UEFA Europa League2Q The New Saints1–11–22–3
2019–20UEFA Champions LeaguePR Feronikeli0–1
UEFA Europa League2Q Ararat-Armenia1–20–21–4
2020–21UEFA Europa LeaguePR Prishtina3–0
1Q Union Titus Pétange2–0
2Q Rangers0–5
2021–22UEFA Champions League1Q Fola Esch5–02–27–2
2Q1–20–2 1–4
UEFA Europa League3Q Slovan Bratislava1–31–12–4
UEFA Europa Conference LeaguePO3–1 1–14–2
GS Copenhagen0–41–34th place
PAOK0–20–2
Slovan Bratislava1–40–2
2022–23UEFA Champions League1Q2–00–32–3
UEFA Europa Conference League2Q Tobol0–10–20−3
2023–24UEFA Champions League1Q Qarabağ1–20–41–6
UEFA Europa Conference League2QBye
3Q Ballkani1–30–21–5
2024–25UEFA Champions League1Q Ħamrun Spartans0–1 1–01–1 (5–4 p)
2Q Qarabağ0–2 0–50–7
UEFA Europa League3Q Dinamo Minsk2–1 0–22–3
UEFA Conference LeaguePO Larne
Notes

Current squad

First team

[25]

Out on loan

Club staff

[26]

PositionName
Head coach Javi Muñoz
Assistant coach Juan José Bezares
Goalkeeper coach Dani Lima
Strength & conditioning coach Liam Mesilio
U23 Head coach Ryan Casciaro
U23 Assistant coach Kyle Goldwin
Head physio Keith Ramirez
Team doctor Francisco Moya
Kitman Alberto Torremocha
Board
President Dylan Viagas
Director Christian Laguea
Director Elton Duarte
Sporting director Juan José Gallardo
Secretary Michael Ruiz

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Brookfield. Saul. 2016-07-12. Lincoln Red Imps, the Gibraltar part-timers who embarrassed Celtic. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-05-12. 0261-3077. 28 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328063051/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/12/lincoln-red-imps-gibraltar-celtic. live.
  2. Web site: Lincoln Red Imps. Uefa.com. 13 May 2019. 31 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200131215932/https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club%3D2605572/profile/index.html. live.
  3. Web site: OUR STORY SO FAR . 2024-02-26 . lincolnredimpsfc.co.uk . en.
  4. News: Where did Liverpool's run rank with greats?. BBC Sport. 1 March 2020. 4 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304181633/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51692518. live.
  5. Web site: Red Imps invite Gibraltarian Red Imps to celebrate victory. BBC. 2022-05-19. 2016-07-13. en.
  6. Web site: The story behind Gibraltarian football club Lincoln Red Imps. lincolnshirelive. 2022-05-19. 15 December 2021. en.
  7. News: Imps invite namesakes after Celtic win. BBC News. 13 July 2016. 18 January 2019. 19 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190119135502/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36786762. live.
  8. Web site: Club history. lincolnredimps.com. 9 July 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714022443/http://lincolnredimps.com/. live.
  9. Web site: Five-goal HB hold off Lincoln comeback. UEFA. 9 July 2014. 8 July 2014. 13 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140713234414/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000544/match=2014131/postmatch/report/index.html. live.
  10. Web site: 2015 Rock Cup Final Match Report. Gibraltar FA. 7 July 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150708194654/http://www.gibraltarfa.com/domestic-football/match/48458. 8 July 2015. dmy-all.
  11. Web site: 201/15 Gibraltar Premier Division. Soccerway. 7 July 2015. 7 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150707001621/http://int.soccerway.com/national/gibraltar/premier-division/20142015/regular-season/r28423/. live.
  12. Web site: Gonzalez. Ryan. Gibraltar double for Rock Cup winners Lincoln. June 2015. UEFA. 7 July 2015. 29 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150729123912/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=gib/news/newsid=2253327.html. live.
  13. Web site: Qualifying round draws start road to Milan. 22 June 2015. UEFA. 7 July 2015. 7 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151107175239/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2259452.html. live.
  14. Web site: Red Imps vs. FC Santa Coloma Match Report 1. UEFA. 7 July 2015. 4 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150704025705/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000630/match=2015571/index.html. live.
  15. Web site: Lincoln Red Imps vs. FC Santa Coloma Match Report 2. UEFA. 7 July 2015. 4 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150704074428/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000630/match=2015574/index.html. live.
  16. Web site: Lincoln Make History!. 5point4sports.com. 7 July 2015. https://archive.today/20160226005257/http://5point4sports.com/2015/07/lincoln-make-history/. 26 February 2016. dead.
  17. Web site: Lincoln Red Imps 1 Celtic 0. 12 July 2016. BBC Sport. 6 July 2017. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160713045052/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36761213. live.
  18. Web site: Lincoln Red Imps FC vs Riga FC – Europa Conference League stats, H2H, lineups. 2021-08-26. FotMob. en. 26 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210826184241/https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3687232/matchfacts/lincoln-red-imps-fc-vs-riga-fc. live.
  19. Web site: Events. UKi Media &. 2018-06-26. New Gibraltar national stadium plans revealed. 2021-01-28. Stadia Magazine. en-GB. 23 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200923104421/https://www.stadia-magazine.com/news/new-project/new-gibraltar-national-stadium.html. live.
  20. Web site: Gibraltar – List of Champions. 9 July 2014. 9 October 2012. RSSSF. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009095628/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/gibchamp.html. live.
  21. Web site: Gibraltar – List of Cup Winners. 9 July 2014. 3 March 2016. RSSSF. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181714/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/gibcuphist.html. live.
  22. Web site: PEPE REYES CUP . footballgibraltar . 2018-03-12 . 12 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180312144346/http://footballgibraltar.com/category/pepe-reyes-cup/ . live .
  23. Web site: History – Senior Cup TITLES . Lincoln Red Imps FC . 2015-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203063154/http://www.lincolnredimpsfc.com/history/ . 3 February 2016 . dead .
  24. Web site: Hanssen leveller denies Lincoln dream start. uefa.com. 3 July 2014. 2 July 2014. 7 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140707034041/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000544/match=2014128/postmatch/report/index.html. live.
  25. http://lincolnredimpsfc.co.uk/teams/FIRST-TEAM/Players FIRST TEAM
  26. http://www.lincolnredimpsfc.co.uk/teams/FIRST-TEAM First Team