How promotion was won : Part 1

By Nathan Jackson
July 3 2007

The coming season marks the 10th season since City last won promotion, so we now look back on the opening months of that season to see the foundations of City's promotion push. City have a horrible time with local derbies, but end September strongly by not conceding in 3 matches and the Imps are well in the promotion hunt.

After the completion of the 1997/8 season the club released the "Promotion" video. It highlights the vast majority of the enjoyable games from that season, inevitably ending in our 2-1 victory over Brighton on the last day to secure promotion. Even eBay rarely features this video anymore so you'll be lucky to find a copy for sale. So for those who haven't got the video, here is the story of the 1997/8 season.

Following the huge disappointment of not making the playoffs in the previous season, City brought in experienced players such as Dean Walling during the summer to try and win their first promotion since returning to the League. 

City made the usual fruitless trip to Chester City on the opening game of the season, and it appeared that City would get a point out of the Welsh border side. However, Flitcroft and Bennett both scored late goals to secure the maximum points for Chester.

City's 1-1 draw in the 1st Leg of the League Cup was followed up by the Imps first home game, and much like the season about to commence, the first home opponents were Shrewsbury Town. Paul Miller gave the Imps the lead that day in a very tightly contested game.

An extremely controversial trip to Notts County follwed. Colin Alcide started off an Imps version of the "Full Monty" after giving the Imps the lead in the rain. Ex-Imp Devon White equalised for the hosts though.

The winner came in the 74th minute when Phil Stant headed in a cross. This appeared to be a fair way offside and this angered Notts County fans, one even running onto the pitch and attacking the linesman. His protests couldn't stop City's last victory at Notts County in the 4th tier.

Burnley eliminated City in the 2nd leg of the League Cup before a thriller at Sincil Bank. The home game against Scarborough was one of the many "last of" moments. It was the last time we would ever face Scarborough at home and it was the last goal that Ainsworth would score for the Imps.

Brown gave Scarborough the lead before an Ainsworth double gave City the lead just before half time. Bennett and Van Der Velden put Scarborough back in the lead before Ainsworth secured his hat-trick just over a minute later.

The first of 3 local derbies in as many games saw Mansfield come and claim victory at Sincil Bank, scoring two stunning goals from Whitehall and Iseyden Christie to claim victory.

Games were put back because of the death of Princess Diana and City's next opponents were Rotherham. It appeared to be heading for a 0-0 draw before Roscoe, Glover and White all scored in a 12 minute period to give the Millers a 3 goal lead. Miller scored a last consolation for the Imps but then the news came that we'd sold Ainsworth to Port Vale.

After 2 straight derby defeats, City made the short trip to Boothferry Park for a much improved City performance. Thorpe gave City a brilliant opener by sending a shot across goal with the outside of his foot. Terry Fleming extended the lead in the 76th minute when he scored from close range following a good move down the right.

Cardiff City were the next visitors to Sincil Bank and another improved City performance had the scoring opened as early as the 5th minute on a day where City could have easily won by 5 goals in front of a very disappointing 3,130.

The final match of this part of the 1997/8 review saw City travel to Barnet. It was an entertaining 0-0 draw with chances galour for both sides.

Next time on "PROMOTION REVIEW" :  Good Gord, City go top.