McAuley moves up to move back down

By Nathan Jackson
January 4 2006

Imps defender Gareth McAuley, has agreed to leave Lincoln City to join a relegation fight with championship side, Crewe. Many believed that Lee Beevers was the defender being tracked by Dario Gradi but it turns out Gareth McAuley was first choice and it's netted the Imps a tidy sum.

City will make £150,000 if the deal goes ahead and McAuley is currently in Crewe to discuss personal terms. The tall defender joined the Imps in the summer in 2004 and went on to become one of City's most consistant performers. His two goals put the Imps through to the playoff final as the Imps defeat Macclesfield 2-1 on aggregate.

Dario Gradi said that he had been interested in a Lincoln player since the Imps confidently beat his Crewe side in the Carling Cup earlier in the season and although many believed it was leave Beevers who was making the switch, it turns out McAuley is now the man to leave and it will be interesting to see what the Imps will do with the money if the deal goes through.