Lincoln City marks big year with new community hub

From left, Lincolnshire Co-op director Richard Wills was joined by Lincolnshire FA chairman Jonathan Van-Tam, Lincoln City chief executive Liam Scully, Martin Hickerton and Poacher the Imp.

Lincoln City Football Club has opened a new community hub at the LNER Stadium.

It comes as the club celebrates its 140th anniversary.

The £2.6million project provides a new home for the club’s charity, the Lincoln City Foundation.

The foundation hopes the new Co-op Community Hub will “improve people’s lives” by giving them a place to get together.

The charity supports the community in Lincolnshire through sports, education, health and social inclusion programmes.

Foundation chief executive Martin Hickerton said: “The hub is a celebration of everyone who makes up this city.”

He said “the club connects people, with football being the hook”.

“We’re here to offer something that will help improve people’s lives, making them happier, healthier and more inspired.

“The football club is here to win on the pitch but it’s also winning off the pitch."

Rob Bradley, chair of the Red Imps Community Trust, said he was “proud the football club doesn’t just play football - we contribute to the community".

He added: “Everyone is welcomed with open arms by the club and the foundation."

And club captain Paudie O’Connor said the team felt “a sense of pride to commemorate the club’s history".

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