Morgan achieves the magical 200

By Nathan Jackson
August 11 2006

City's 2-1 win over Hereford was made more memorable for Imps captain Paul Morgan as it was his 200th start for City. It's been 5 years since the defender joined the Imps from Preston North End but he has been a tremendously consistant defender during that time and there might be more to come.

Northern Irish defender Morgan was a rarity at Sincil Bank when he became a popular Alan Buckley signing for the Imps in the summer of 2001 when he joined from Preston North End and despite City having a miserable season, Morgan showed his quality throughout the year and even scored what remains as his only goal for the Imps as he headed City into the lead at Darlington. He was made captain after the first few games under Keith Alexander and then he came into his own as a player and helped the club charge into the playoffs but he failed to inspire the Imps to victory but it was still a year to be proud for the Imps.

Over the next 2 years, he became arguably the best centre back in the division and it was a surprise that a big club didn't come in for him but the 2005/6 season saw Paul Morgan damage his reputation as captain as he was sent off twice in the first 2 months of the season. The first was unlucky was he won the ball but tackled a Chester player from behind, however the second at Torquay was completely unnessacery as in frustration, he kicked striker Alan Connell after the ball had gone out of play. He would eventually miss most of the season through injury.

He has started this season well though and the victory over Hereford marked his 200th start for the Imps and 203 appearance overall and at the age of 28, should he stay with the Imps for the rest of his career, could have a shot at beating the club's all time appearance record currently held by Grant Brown. Only Alan Marriott has made more appearances than Morgan in the current squad with 309 games in 7 seasons at Sincil Bank.