Lincoln City striker Freddie Draper is eagerly anticipating a historic Championship homecoming this Saturday against Portsmouth. The match at the ProAmpac Stadium will be the club's first home fixture in the second tier for 65 years, a landmark occasion following last season's promotion.
According to a report from www.weareimps.com, a limited number of tickets remain for the game. The excitement has been building since promotion and grew further after sold-out away ends at the season's opening two games against Derby County and Middlesbrough. The team currently sits 22nd in the Championship with 0 points from two games, having scored twice and conceded five.
What does Freddie Draper say about the occasion?
Freddie Draper, the 22-year-old forward who has spent his entire professional career with the Imps, captured the mood. "Everyone in the building is buzzing for Saturday," Draper said. "We’ve not been to the stadium yet but there’s been a lot of work being done, so we’re really excited to see that." He also noted the significance of the long wait, adding, "It's been 65 years since the last home game in the Championship, so I can imagine it’s going to be some atmosphere." Draper believes the team, which is six points behind early leaders Millwall, deserves its place at this level and will cause problems for opponents. He praised the incredible travelling support at Derby and Middlesbrough and is convinced the home fans' backing can make a real difference.
How has Draper's career led to this point?
Freddie Draper joined Lincoln City as a teenager and made his debut at age 17. Now in his sixth season with the club, he has made 115 appearances despite some loan spells away. His commitment was recently secured with a new contract that runs until 2030, one of several he has signed. Draper feels the club's foundations have prepared the squad for the challenges of the Championship. He is also relishing working under the new head coach duo of Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, who were promoted from assistant roles over the summer after playing a key part in last season's success. Shaw has known Draper since the striker's time at Derby County and worked with him during his academy days.
What is the new coaching setup like?
Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw took over as head coaches following Lincoln City's promotion. Draper has been impressed by Cohen since his arrival and highlights the high standards demanded by the coaching staff every day in training. He believes the work done away from matchdays, and the relationship being built between staff and squad, will become evident as the season progresses. You can view the full coaching and playing staff on our squad page.
What comes next after the Portsmouth game?
The immediate focus is fully on creating a memorable day against Portsmouth. However, the Championship schedule waits for no one. Just three days later, Lincoln City face a quick turnaround with an away trip to face Bolton Wanderers, who are currently 8th in the table. That match is scheduled for August 29th. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges in the standings and on the fixtures page. Following two narrow defeats to start the campaign, the historic home game represents a fresh opportunity to get points on the board and build momentum.
