From non-League to Championship in nine years: The magical rise of Lincoln

Lincoln have been promoted to the Championship for the first time in 65 years, marking an incredible rise by the Imps, who were in non-League just nine years ago.

Ten years ago Lincoln City were about to finish their National League season with the unenviable record of one win in 10.

Not that many were paying attention in truth.

The nation's gaze was fixed on events down the A46 as Leicester City created the mother of all Premier League shocks.

That apathy had spread through the city of Lincoln. Attendances had regularly dipped below the 2,000 mark and most had accepted that in all likelihood the football club would be non-league property for the foreseeable future.

Since relegation in 2011 from the Football League, the club had flirted with getting out of the National League, albeit, the wrong way, needing a final-day win at Hyde United to guarantee safely and avoid the ignominy of dropping into regional football.

Fans grew accustomed to a revolving door of new signings while watching their club be turned over at the likes of Carshalton and Whitehawk, to name a few. Attendees to those particular two games wear it as a badge of honour.