Day 306

Assistant manager Martin O’Connor extended his contract for another year. I’m delighted to have him as my second in command. Head scout Peter Johnson also agreed to a new deal, ensuring that we’ll at least have somebody competent looking for players over the summer.

I took charge of the Under 18s for their final match of the season—a home tie against Chesterfield. I was fairly hands off about it, though, deferring most of the decisions to O’Connor and coach Grant Brown.

My boys started the sharper of the two sides, with Hancock particularly threatening early on. The breakthrough didn’t come until the 37th minute, however, when Dickinson hashed his clearance of a Wormall long through. The ball fell at Aaron Rice’s feet, and the young winger dispatched it first time. He’s had a great season in the Under 18s, from the reports, so I’m pleased to see him on song with my own eyes.

Meanwhile in defence, Weaver made several brilliant interventions to keep Chesterfield from troubling the keeper. The 17 year old hadn’t really been on my radar, but he was ingratiating himself well with this performance.

My boys continued to control the match, but a second goal never came. The match ended 1-0.

Truth be told, it was terrible quality. I felt like I was watching the Under 12s at times, wondering why players kept losing their position or mis-controlling the ball. There were other moments, though, that wowed me. Hancock, Rice, and Cunningham showed that they have that little bit of class needed to make it as a professional, while 15 year old striker Jean-Charles Valette impressed me with a few special moments.

That win ensures the Lincoln Under 18s finish third in their league. It’s a brilliant achievement, amongst bigger clubs such as Derby, Ipswich, Watford, and Norwich.

In other news, Newcastle beat Liverpool 3-1 in the FA Cup Final. That’s great news for the Magpies, who aren’t going to finish high enough in the league for European qualification. Taking out the FA Cup means they’re in the Euro Cup—Europe’s second-tier continental cup—which will be huge financially.

Josh Gowling looks set to miss the start of next season, after breaking his ankle in training today. That throws off my plans to sell the defender over the summer. How many clubs will be willing to make a bid on an injured player? Not many, I expect.

Alex Billington’s also looking at time in the physio room. But he should be ready to roll early in the pre-season schedule. I hope this doesn’t complicate my hopes of signing the young full-back permanently.

I’m taking the next few days off from the blog, to celebrate my girlfriend returning to the country after several months overseas. I’ll do another couple of days next week, then call it quits on the diary part. Some final thoughts will follow, before a special surprise that I hope you’ll all love (along with lots of other people, who I plan to draw in after I finish). If all goes to plan, we’ll be all wrapped up by the end of the month.

See you soon.