By theimps.tk
December 30 2008

The summer was one of the few times that City have been genuinely optimistic in 2008. Several seemingly half-decent signings, several good pre-season results and some very hypish quotes from Jackson fooled many in the crowds, not bad considering the embarrasing result against Wrexham on the final day of last season. The final game of the 2007/8 season was arguably the most embarrassing game of 2008 in full. The Imps faced Wrexham, already relegated and easily the worst side in the division, losing heavily on a regular basis and they found themselves 2-0 up at Sincil Bank early on through Mackin and Baynes goals. An own goal from Evans brought City back into it before Baynes made it 3-1 just before the end. Wright did pull one back but Llewellyn made it 4-2 in added on time.

The rest of May was all about players leaving. Lee Ridley and Louis Dodds returned to their parent clubs, whereas Ryan Amoo, Jamie Hand, Adie Moses, Gary Croft, Mark Stallard and record goalkeeping appearance holder Marriott. John Reames also died in the first week of May. He had been former chairman as Sincil Bank and thus, the club arranged about twenty different memorial games, tournaments and other various activities towards him.

Peter Jackson returned to work in the final week of May and his first duty was to extend Iffy Onuora's contract. Then came the first signing, Stefan Oakes from Wycombe Wanderers. Stefan had played well in his appearances against the Imps in recent seasons and his addition was seen as a good start, but another player left Sincil Bank the next day as Jamie Forrester rejected the contract offered to him to join Notts County.

Kerr signed a new two year contract and it wasn't long before he was joined by a new Imps. Janos Kovacs signed from Chesterfield for an eventual fee of £17,500. A second defender signed soon after, this time former Premiership star, Frank Sinclair. The Jackson "revolution" continued a few days later when another former Huddersfield man, this time David Graham, joined the Imps on a short term contract, he was again soon followed by Aaron Brown after the midfielder had enjoyed a successful trial earlier in the summer. Jackson's infamous "envy" quote soon emerged, meaning the pressure was already on.

The Imps beat a strong Aston Villa team 3-1 at Sincil Bank, coming from behind after John Carew had opened the scoreline, Kovacs, LJL and Wright scoring the winning goals for the Imps. Next up was a game against Lincoln United at Sincil Bank, a game that would lead to one of the strangest stories ever at Sincil Bank. Mullarkey and Graham had put into a 2-0 lead before Adrian Patulea stepped u with a hatrick. You all know the story so I won't bore you, and the lead was extended by King, making it 6-0.

More Patulea magic followed with a win at Retford before the Imps thumped Farsley Celtic 5-0 at Throstle's Nest. The goals came from Wright, King (twice), LJL, Kerr and King. However, goals were hardly on the agenda when Jackson loaned in Kevin Gall from Carlisle. Freck and King goals gave City a 2-0 win at Gainsborough.

Then, after Jackson's hype about the side, the season began in an away trip at Rotherham's Don Valley Stadium. How would City do? Find out in the next of the 2008 review articles.

2008 : Another year to forget : The Summer

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 30/12/2008 20:11

theimps.tk
30/12/2008 20:11

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