By Nathan Jackson
June 12 2006

Lincoln City hope to announce the new manager of the club on Thursday afternoon after over 3 weeks of searching. Several names that were touted around by Imps' fans have already joined other clubs with the latest being Steve Thompson's appointment at Notts County, this doesn't leave a lot of choice

The former Imps' manager made his return to Notts County this afternoon, a choice that wasn't too popular with a lot of County fans and the appointment will come with mixed views from Imps' fans who were divided as to whether they wanted him as manager or not after taking Cambridge down just over a year ago. Thompson was believed to be one of the managers invited to the final stages of the selection process but obviously, his deal at the Imps’ local rivals rules that out as a possibility.

The fan's favourite throughout this whole process has been former Imps' striker, John Ward who is regarded by everyone at Sincil Bank as a legend and won promotion with Cheltenham this season after winning the playoffs. Although popular, is it unlikely Ward would be prepared to drop down a division from a club that's on the up, to a club that's seemingly never going to go anywhere.

The Echo revealed that the club are hoping to announce their new manager on Thursday morning, giving the new manager a week to prepare for the fixture list release on June 22nd. By then, the new manager (if one is appointed by this time) will know whether he has the service of several players, including Gary Birch who has until the 20th to make a decision about his future.