Lincoln Red Imps F.C.

For the English football club, see Lincoln City F.C.

Lincoln Red Imps

Full name	Lincoln Red Imps Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Red Imps
Short name	Lincoln
Founded	1976;48 years ago (1976) as Blue Batons
Ground	Victoria Stadium
Capacity	5,000
Owner	Dylan Viagas
Head coach	David Campaña
League	Gibraltar Football League
2023–24	1st
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours

Lincoln Red Imps Football Club is a professional football club from Gibraltar. ^[1] They play in the Gibraltar Football League, and share Victoria Stadium with all other clubs in the territory. ^[2] They are the country's record champion with 27 league titles, including fourteen consecutive titles between 2003 and 2016, and in 2014 were the first team to represent Gibraltar in the UEFA Champions League's qualifying stage. In August 2021, Lincoln became the first club from Gibraltar to ever reach the group stages of a European club competition after defeating the Latvian champions Riga FC in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The club has won 7 domestic trebles and 4 doubles in its history. ^[3] They hold the record for Europe's longest chronological unbeaten league run of 88 matches over 1,959 days from May 2009 to September 2014. ^[4]

History

The football club was formed in 1976 by Elton Duarte in the quarry pitch. A group of players associated to the old Police youth team called the "Blue Batons" and complemented by players that had been released by Glacis United and St Jago's joined forces to form the first Lincoln team that played in the Gibraltar fourth division as a youth team. The team was named after Lincoln City FC, who are nicknamed the "Imps" after the legend of the Lincoln Imp. Lincoln Red Imps received their name after they were sponsored by Reg Brealey, the former Sheffield United chairman and Lincoln resident who is friends with Charles Polson. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

When this Lincoln team became old enough to play Senior Football, it was decided to place the young team into the GFA second division. The team started to climb to the top in the second division in the season 1981–82 winning the league, the division cup and gaining promotion to the GFA's first division after only one season. The next year Lincoln finished in mid table in the first division. In 1983–84 Lincoln won the league and promotion to the Gibraltar Premier Division. ^[8]

In 1984–85 Lincoln played their first season in the Gibraltar Premier Division in which they were joint champions with Glacis United – the first of seven league titles which were won between 1984 and 1994.

Lincoln won 14 Gibraltar Premier Division titles in a row from 2003 to 2016, bettering the previous record of nine in a row held by Glacis United in the 1960s. They also won the national treble of League, Rock Cup and Senior Cup in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

2014

In 2014, after Gibraltar had joined UEFA as the 54th member, Lincoln became the first Gibraltarian team to play in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. After claiming a 1–1 draw in the home match, they lost 5–2 at Faroese team HB and were eliminated in the first qualifying round. ^[9]

• 
  Lincoln Red Imps squad in May 2014
• 
  UEFA President Michel Platini at the 2014 Rock Cup presentation
• 
  Lincoln Red Imps Captain lifting 2014 Rock Cup from Platini
• 
  Lincoln Red Imps players with 2014 silverware
• 
  Joseph Chipolina holding plaque commemorating club's Rock Cup victory

2015

Lincoln won both the 2015 Rock Cup with a 4–1 victory over Lynx F.C. ^[10] and the 2014–15 Gibraltar Premier Division championship by 16 points, ^[11] again playing in the qualification stages for the UEFA Champions League for with their second straight double. ^[12] In the First Qualifying Round Lincoln were drawn against FC Santa Coloma of Andorra. ^[13] After a scoreless draw in the first leg in Gibraltar, ^[14] the club earned a 2–1 victory at the Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella to advance to the Second Qualifying Round with goals coming from Anthony Bardon and Lee Casciaro. ^[15] With the victory, Lincoln became the first club from Gibraltar to reach the second round of UEFA Champions League qualification, setting up an encounter with 2015 Danish champions FC Midtjylland, ^[16] which Lincoln Red Imps lost on aggregate 0–3.

2016

In 2016 Lincoln pulled off a surprise victory against Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, with a 1–0 victory at home after a 48th-minute strike from Lee Casciaro in the club's second round match of the UEFA Champions League qualifying stage. The match was Brendan Rodgers first competitive fixture as manager of Celtic. ^[17] The Glasgow side still comfortably qualified with a 3–0 victory in the return leg at Celtic Park. It is still seen as one of Celtic's worst moments.

2021

On 26 August 2021, Lincoln became the first team from Gibraltar to qualify for the group stage in a European Competition, as they defeated Riga FC by a score of 3–1 (4–2 aggregate) and advanced to the group stage of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League. ^[18]

Seasons (since UEFA acceptance)

Season	Division	League record								Rock Cup	Pepe Reyes Cup	Europe
		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts	Pos			Competition	Result
2013–14	Premier	14	11	3	0	66	6	36	1st	Winners	Runners-up	—	—
2014–15	Premier	21	19	1	1	80	12	58	1st	Winners	Winners	Champions League	First qualifying round
2015–16	Premier	27	25	1	1	130	9	76	1st	Winners	Winners	Champions League	Second qualifying round
2016–17	Premier	27	23	3	1	100	16	72	2nd	Runners-up	Runners-up	Champions League	Second qualifying round
2017–18	Premier	27	21	2	4	71	19	65	1st	Semi-finals	Winners	Europa League	First qualifying round
2018–19	Premier	27	21	3	3	84	19	66	1st	Second round	Runners-up	Champions League Europa League	Preliminary round Second qualifying round
2019–20	National	17	13	0	4	68	15	39	3rd [lower-alpha 1]	Abandoned	Runners-up	Champions League Europa League	Preliminary round Second qualifying round
2020–21	National	20	15	3	2	62	13	48	1st	Winners	—	Europa League	Second qualifying round
2021–22	National	20	19	1	0	65	17	58	1st	Winners	Runners-up	Champions League Europa League Europa Conference League	Second qualifying round Third qualifying round Group stage
2022–23	National	20	17	1	2	68	14	52	1st	Runners-up	Winners	Champions League Europa Conference League	First qualifying round Second qualifying round
2023–24	National	25	21	2	2	86	15	65	1st	Winners	Runners-up	Champions League Europa Conference League	First qualifying round Third qualifying round

1. The 2019–20 Gibraltar National League season, and the 2020 Rock Cup, were abandoned with results declared null and void and results expunged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stadium

Victoria Stadium

Lincoln currently plays all league games at the 2,000-seat Victoria Stadium. The club share this ground with all clubs currently participating in the Gibraltar Premier Division, as well as the Gibraltar Women's Football League, of which Lincoln also runs a team.

Due to the ground's failure to meet guidelines in the 2017–18 season, Lincoln, along with Europa and St Joseph's, were forced to play their European competition matches at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal, while improvements were carried out on Victoria Stadium.

It is expected that the ground will be renovated and expanded to a football specific stadium with a capacity of 8,000 by 2021. ^[19]

Honours

Lincoln Red Imps fans at the Victoria stadium in 2014.

• Gibraltar National League: 28 ^[20]

1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24

• Rock Cup: 20 ^[21]

1985–86, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2021–22, 2023–24

• Pepe Reyes Cup: 12 ^[22]

2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022

• Gibraltar League Senior Cup: 18 ^[23]

1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14

European record

See also: Gibraltarian football clubs in European competitions

Lincoln's first qualifying round match of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League marked the first match played by a Gibraltarian club in UEFA competition. After converting a penalty, a second half goal was conceded and the game ended in a draw. ^[24]

Overall

As of match played 9 July 2024

Competition	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
UEFA Champions League	25	7	3	15	24	43	–19
UEFA Europa League	13	3	3	7	13	25	–12
UEFA Europa Conference League	13	1	2	10	8	28	–20
Overall	51	11	8	32	45	96	–51

Matches

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate	Y/N
2014–15	UEFA Champions League	1Q	HB Tórshavn	1–1	2–5	3–6
2015–16	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Santa Coloma	0–0	2–1	2–1
		2Q	Midtjylland	0–2	0–1	0–3
2016–17	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Flora Tallinn	2–0	1–2	3–2
		2Q	Celtic	1–0	0–3	1–3
2017–18	UEFA Europa League	1Q	AEK Larnaca	1–1	0–5	1–6
2018–19	UEFA Champions League	PR	La Fiorita	2–0		—
			Drita	1–4		—
	UEFA Europa League	2Q	The New Saints	1–1	1–2	2–3
2019–20	UEFA Champions League	PR	Feronikeli	0–1		—
	UEFA Europa League	2Q	Ararat-Armenia	1–2	0–2	1–4
2020–21	UEFA Europa League	PR	Prishtina	3–0 (awd.)	—	—
		1Q	Union Titus Pétange	2–0	—	—
		2Q	Rangers	0–5	—	—
2021–22	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Fola Esch	5–0	2–2	7–2
		2Q	CFR Cluj	1–2	0–2	1–4
	UEFA Europa League	3Q	Slovan Bratislava	1–3	1–1	2–4
	UEFA Europa Conference League	PO	Riga	3–1 ( a.e.t. )	1–1	4–2
		GS	Copenhagen	0–4	1–3	4th place
			PAOK	0–2	0–2
			Slovan Bratislava	1–4	0–2
2022–23	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Shkupi	2–0	0–3	2–3
	UEFA Europa Conference League	2Q	Tobol	0–1	0–2	0−3
2023–24	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Qarabağ	1–2	0–4	1–6
	UEFA Europa Conference League	2Q	Bye	—	—	—
		3Q	Ballkani	1–3	0–2	1–5
2024–25	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Ħamrun Spartans	0–1 ( a.e.t. )	1–0	1–1 (5–4 p)
		2Q	Qarabağ	0–2	0–5	0–7
	UEFA Europa League	3Q	Dinamo Minsk	2–1	0–2	2–3
	UEFA Conference League	PO	Larne	2–1	1–3	3–4

Notes

• PR: Preliminary round
• 1Q: First qualifying round
• 2Q: Second qualifying round
• 3Q: Third qualifying round
• PO: Play-off round
• GS: Group stage

Current squad

First team

As of 16 August 2024 ^[25]

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   ESP Nauzet Santana 2 DF   ESP Jesús Toscano 4 MF   GIB Nicholas Pozo 5 DF   GHA Ibrahim Ayew 6 DF   GIB Bernardo Lopes (vice-captain) 7 FW   GIB Lee Casciaro 8 MF   GHA Mustapha Yahaya 9 FW   PHI Kike Gómez 10 FW   GIB Tjay De Barr 11 MF   GIB Julian Valarino 13 GK   ESP Vitolo 14 DF   GIB Roy Chipolina (captain) 15 DF   ESP Rafa Muñoz 17 FW   ESP Pedro Martín 18 FW   ESP Toni García

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 DF   GIB Ethan Britto 21 DF   ESP Nano 22 MF   GIB Graeme Torrilla 23 MF   ESP Joe 24 DF   GIB Jack Sergeant 25 GK   GIB Ryan Smith 26 MF   GIB Dan Bent 27 GK   GIB Jaylan Hankins 29 MF   GIB Lee Chipolina 31 FW   GIB Jonathan Sciortino 33 DF   NED Djumaney Burnet 70 FW   ESP Víctor Villacañas 71 DF   GIB Javan Peacock 88 MF   ESP Mandi

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 MF   GIB Kyle Clinton(at College 1975) 28 DF   GIB Ryan Azopardi(at College 1975)

No. Pos. Nation Player 69 DF   GIB Julian Laguea(at College 1975) — DF   GIB Julian Britto(at College 1975)

Club staff

^[26]

Position	Name
Head coach	Javi Muñoz
Assistant coach	Juan José Bezares
Goalkeeper coach	Dani Lima
Strength & conditioning coach	Liam Mesilio
U23 Head coach	Ryan Casciaro
U23 Assistant coach	Kyle Goldwin
Head physio	Keith Ramirez
Team doctor	Francisco Moya
Kitman	Alberto Torremocha
Board
President	Dylan Viagas
Director	Christian Laguea
Director	Elton Duarte
Sporting director	Juan José Gallardo
Secretary	Michael Ruiz

See also

• Association football portal
• Gibraltar portal

• List of unbeaten football club seasons

References

1. Brookfield, Saul (12 July 2016). "Lincoln Red Imps, the Gibraltar part-timers who embarrassed Celtic". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
2. "Lincoln Red Imps". Uefa.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
3. "OUR STORY SO FAR". lincolnredimpsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
4. "Where did Liverpool's run rank with greats?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
5. "Red Imps invite Gibraltarian Red Imps to celebrate victory". BBC. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
6. "The story behind Gibraltarian football club Lincoln Red Imps". lincolnshirelive. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
7. "Imps invite namesakes after Celtic win". BBC News. 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
8. "Club history". lincolnredimps.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
9. "Five-goal HB hold off Lincoln comeback". UEFA. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
10. "2015 Rock Cup Final Match Report". Gibraltar FA. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
11. "201/15 Gibraltar Premier Division". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
12. Gonzalez, Ryan (June 2015). "Gibraltar double for Rock Cup winners Lincoln". UEFA. Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
13. "Qualifying round draws start road to Milan". UEFA. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
14. "Red Imps vs. FC Santa Coloma Match Report 1". UEFA. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
15. "Lincoln Red Imps vs. FC Santa Coloma Match Report 2". UEFA. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
16. "Lincoln Make History!". 5point4sports.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
17. "Lincoln Red Imps 1 Celtic 0". BBC Sport. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
18. "Lincoln Red Imps FC vs Riga FC – Europa Conference League stats, H2H, lineups". FotMob. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
19. Events, UKi Media & (26 June 2018). "New Gibraltar national stadium plans revealed". Stadia Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
20. "Gibraltar – List of Champions". RSSSF . Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
21. "Gibraltar – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF . Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
22. "PEPE REYES CUP". footballgibraltar. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
23. "History – Senior Cup TITLES". Lincoln Red Imps FC. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
24. "Hanssen leveller denies Lincoln dream start". uefa.com. 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
25. FIRST TEAM Archived 21 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 June 2019.
26. First Team Archived 13 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Lincoln Red Imps FC.

External links

• Official website
• Lincoln Red Imps F.C. on Twitter
• Team profile at UEFA.com