LINCOLN IMPS HOPE TO COURT ONE OF THE BIG BOYS

As the Europa League continues to gain momentum and since I shall be living on an island for a few days, my thoughts turn to Gibraltar. Why? Well I have written about Gibraltar's football before and a friend of mine, Dave, has an interest in Lincoln City FC, so what better than to have a look at the progress in the UEFA Champions League of the Lincoln Red Imps, the prolific league champions of Gibraltar. 

Founded in 1975, the evolution of the club has included financial backing by the generous Freddy Shepherd, whom you may remember sunk a load of cash into Newcastle United. So Freddy, who had a house on the island, decided to sponsor them, changing their name from Lincoln ABG to Newcastle United. Freddy eventually pulled out from the sponsorship but the club carried on, successfully. The club has won the last twelve league titles for example.

There are other clubs in the local league named after English league clubs such as Chelsea Beacon Press and Manchester United. The Chelsea youth teams are financed by Roller Pet Shop, a local company.

So the Lincoln Red Imps, as they are again known, playing at the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium, are making progress in Europe's Champions League. Having won their first qualifying round against FC Santa Colomba from Andorra 2-1 on aggregate the Imps are now chasing the Danes, FC Midtjylland, who hold a 1-0 lead after the first leg.

Last season the club scored their first goal ever, a penalty, in European football versus HB Toshavn of the Faroe Islands but eventually lost on aggregate.

It all goes on this week, with small clubs from all over Europe eyeing up a future tie against one of the big boys.