Lincoln City secure Championship promotion for the first time in 65 years
Lincoln City have clinched their place in the Championship for the first time in 65 years following a thrilling 2-1 triumph at Reading on Easter Monday, reports BritPanorama.
The victory stretches Michael Skubala’s side’s remarkable unbeaten sequence to 24 matches, with the Imps not having tasted defeat since November 22 last year.
In a landmark moment, Lincoln became the first club in the English Football League to secure promotion this season, establishing an insurmountable 19-point advantage over Bradford City, who sit in third, while Cardiff City trails by 12 points in second. Ryan One handed the visitors the perfect start in the fifth minute, nodding home from a set-piece.
Despite Lincoln’s strong start, the hosts pressed in the second half but struggled to break through a well-organised defence. Deep into added time, Reading’s Lewis Wing seemingly equalised with a superb free-kick, only for Jack Moylan to fire home from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage, confirming Lincoln’s historic achievement.
Moylan, speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, expressed the magnitude of the moment: “I had dreamt about this all week – I knew when I came on I had a chance and this is something I have given my whole life up for.” He emphasised the collective effort behind the success, stating, “I have got the goal but this is 42 games of graft. These are the best teammates in the world and the best group in the world, and it is such a good place to be at the moment.”
Head coach Skubala said: “It is an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season, and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season.” Lincoln’s ascent represents one of English football’s most extraordinary transformations in recent years.
Just nine years ago, the club was competing in the National League after dropping out of the Football League in 2011. Their journey back has included three promotions, a memorable FA Cup quarter-final appearance as a non-league outfit, and an EFL Trophy victory at Wembley.
With 77 goals this season, the division’s highest tally, and just 35 conceded, the focus now shifts to claiming the title, with Skubala affirming his team’s ambition: “We want to win the title; the lads have said that they definitely want to win it.”
The rise of Lincoln City is a reminder of football’s unpredictable nature, where past struggles create room for present triumphs and future aspirations.
