History to Repeat Itself?

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 07/05/2011 (Last updated: 22/05/2011)

101 YEARS ago Grimsby Town were relegated from the Football League, and a year later Town were promoted in place of Lincoln City. Although the first part of history has not repeated itself the Imps could still lose their Football League status this weekend if they don't beat Aldershot on Saturday.

In a reversal of last season's situation with Barnet and Grimsby, this time one of Lincoln and Barnet will join Stockport in being relegated into the Blue Square League. The difference however is that Barnet have to win and rely on Lincoln not to be victorious, whereas a year ago Grimsby had to win against Burton and trust that Barnet did not get three points. Neither of course happened and the Mariners were relegated.

In 2004-2005 there were four Lincolnshire teams in League Two. If Lincoln do get relegated, they will be the third of the quartet to fall through the league trapdoor. Only Scunthorpe have bucked the trend, winning two promotions before experiencing the pain of relegation this season.

Besides local rivalry Lincoln's demise would be good news for Town as it would guarantee two big games in the season for fans to look forward to, and increase interest generally in Conference football in the area.

With Boston (where of course Grimsby's managerial duo were prised away from in controversial circumstances) also in the play-offs in the Blue Square North, 2011-2012 could see a lot more local games than in the previous season, and also see a mini-reunion of the 2004-2005 season, Slade's first at the club. Also now present in the BSP who were in League Two in 2004-2005 are Darlington, Rushden, Cambridge and Kidderminster. Swansea, who finished third that year thanks to a 1-0 win at Bury on the final day (when the winner was scored by a certain Adrian Forbes) are now on the threshold of the Premier League.

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