Lincoln City's 1990 appointment of manager Allan Clarke promised fans entertainment but ended in swift dismissal. The story, reported by The Stacey West, serves as a stark historical lesson as the current Imps squad prepares for its next Championship test, sitting 17th with three points from three games.
Clarke arrived at Sincil Bank in 1990 with a strong pedigree, having been a striker for Leeds United and England. He impressed chairman John Reames and the board, beating candidates like Graham Carr and Barry Fry to the job after Colin Murphy's departure. Murphy had restored the club's Football League status in 1988. Clarke's managerial record included taking Barnsley from the Fourth to the Second Division in successive seasons. He promised determination and a style fans would enjoy, shaped by his time under Don Revie at Leeds. "I want Lincoln City to be successful," Clarke said. "I want to give this club success and I shall be working very, very hard."
How did Lincoln City's pre-season build hope?
The optimism was tangible ahead of the 1990-91 campaign. The newly completed Stacey West Stand was opened with a pre-season friendly against Clarke's old club, Leeds United, providing modern facilities at the Railway End. On the pitch, Lincoln City scored 21 goals in six friendly matches, averaging over three per game. They won four, drew with Hull City, and lost only to Leeds. This form continued into the league opener, a 2-2 draw at Burnley with goals from Grant Brown and Paul Smith. A victory over Halifax Town followed, suggesting Clarke's methods were taking hold.
What caused the season to unravel?
Tragedy struck on September 8 when York City striker David Longhurst collapsed and died during a match against Lincoln City, leading to the fixture's abandonment. The club's form never recovered. Lincoln won just one of their next ten matches and slipped towards the bottom of the Fourth Division. They were eliminated from the League Cup by Halifax and suffered a 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Crewe Alexandra. A 3-0 home loss to Darlington in the league prompted around 200 supporters to protest on the pitch. Clarke publicly criticised players recruited from non-league, stating too many "couldn't play football."
Why was Allan Clarke dismissed so quickly?
Results made Clarke's position untenable. After a 2-0 Leyland DAF Trophy loss to Birmingham City, he was dismissed after just 179 days in charge. His record showed only three wins from 18 league matches. Chairman John Reames later admitted the appointment was a mistake, noting Clarke had tried to reproduce Leeds' football but failed to adapt to Fourth Division realities. The club recruited loanee Gary Powell from Everton and later added Lee Warren, David Wilson, and Phil Stant, but the slide was irreversible.
Where does this history meet the present day?
The current Lincoln City side, now in the Championship, faces its own challenges. The team has scored three goals but conceded five, leaving them with a minus-two goal difference. They are six points behind early leaders Charlton Athletic. The focus now shifts to the next fixture, a home match against Southampton on September 5. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings and view the full schedule on our fixtures page. The club's immediate task is to improve on a recent form of two losses from three outings.
