MARK STALLARD (2006-8)

JOINED FROM SHREWSBURY TOWN 

Mark Stallard was one of John Schofield's first signings as Lincoln City manager. Having been a journeyman of the lower Leagues, the Imps fans knew that they were getting a proven goalscorer at League Two level. He had an excellent 2006/7 season, but his 2007/8 season saw his popularity drop as he failed to produce on the pitch and allegedly started verbally attacking fans at reserve games.

Stallard quickly got into the scoring grove as he hit a brace away at Hereford, it took nearly a month for his next League goals, this time with a brace against Accrington. Infact, Stallard was good at scoring braces, he completed his third brace in an away game at Wycombe, rated as one of the best performances of the 2006/7. He scored the winning goals, the second of which was brilliant half volley from just inside the area.

He was linking up extremely well with Jamie Forrester, there was rarely a game where neither scored and they scored five between them in a 7-1 hammering of Rochdale, Stallard scoring yet another brace. However, the goals started to dry up at this point, although he did score winning goals against Peterborough and Torquay United.

Another brace couldn't stop defeat to Swindon Town, but he did secure a Playoff place on the final day of the season in a 2-0 win over Chester City.

The first leg finished with a 2-1 defeat  and the Imps were a 3-1 down in the second leg when Stallard brought the Imps back into the tie and if there was one Imps player who looked like changing the game, it was Mark Stallard. However, in one of the most bizarre decisions of the decade, Schofield replaced him with a less than free scoring Martin Gritton. The Imps would go on to lose the game 5-3 and 7-4 on aggregate.

The summer came and went before the next season started and despite two heavy defeats in the opening three days, Stallard rounded off a fine display at Mansfield Town, scoring the third goal in a fine City display. However, that would be his final League goal until a 3-0 win at Accrington Stanley, his last goal in City colours.

With Ben Wright coming into the team and scoring for fun, as well as Forrester performing well, Stallard struggled to find regular first team football and was relegated to the reserves. It was a County Cup game where Stallard's reputation hit a low as he allegedly told Lincoln fans to "fuck off" after they questioned his effort levels.

Stallard left City at the end of the season and joined Mansfield Town. He again started reasonably well but fell away again as Mansfield struggled against the drop. He joined Corby Town during the recent summer before retiring a few weeks ago.

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