2000-2010 : If you can remember these, you've done well
By theimps.tk
November 23 2009
Throughout the last ten years there have been those players who have turned into fan favourites and made vital contributions, such as Paul Morgan, Alan Marriott and Jamie Forrester, but let's not forget all those players that came and went without even so much as a whimper. Today we celebrate those that came to Sincil Bank and almost made it, but didn't.
Where better to start our round-up than in the year 2000 and the FA Cup 2nd Round? After beating Bracknell Town in the first round, City were drawn at home to then non-League Dagenham and Redbridge. A young man was in goal to replace the injured Alan Marriott and after a reasonable debut in a 1-1 draw at Carlisle, the former Villa goalkeeper had a 20 second spell that started brilliantly, only to end in disaster.
City were generally out played by their non-League opponents, but Ghent had been vital to keeping the score down to 0-0. It was the 91st minute and no sooner than his name was being read over the tannoy as the man of the match, did he allow a shot squirm under him in a great Massimo Taibi impression. It sent Dagenham fans wild as they secured a home match against then Premiership Charlton. Ghent was never seen at Sincil Bank again.
Grant Pinkney? Anyone? The trainee made a solitary appearance in the aforementioned match against Bracknell Town, being released several months later.
One of Buckley's first signings was another of his former Grimsby players, this time it was Adam Smith. The young midfielder came with rave reviews and many expected big things of him.......he failed to make a single appearance for the club.
2002/3 saw many great no-name wonders appear at the club. Can I interest anyone in Darren Dykes? Maybe Luke Cornwall? Maybe even Shayne Bradley, who retired after his loan spell from Chesterfield came to an end. Not to forget Tyrone Thompson, a young player who's every appearance came the LDV Vans Trophy....all two games of it.
When Niall McNamara (there's another blast from the past for you) came to the club from Belper Town, he arrived with a striker called Mark Ward, not to be confused with Chris Ward who had played for City during the 2002/3. Mark had an excellent pre-season and hit goals for fun, including a hatrick in a 6-0 win at Boston Town. Despite this, he, much like Allan Pearce, was not rewarded with a first team place for his goalscoring exploits in pre-season, never making an appearances, not even appearing on the bench.
If there was one thing that Keith Alexander loved, it was bringing completely random players to the club who barely featured. Who could forget Matt Carbon's 45 minute cameo appearance at Hull City in 2003? How about the names of Rory May, Ellis Remy or Craig Rocastle. But the pick of the bunch in 2003/4 was Ben Martin. Martin was a 6'8 defender that came to the club on loan from Swindon Town and was set for a first team place, he made it to the bench, but that was as far as it went.
Can I interest anyone in Aaron Wilford?
If I can't interest you in Wilford, maybe Karl Bermingham, Peter Folkes or Adam Kerley could take your interest from 2004/5? If not then there's former Premiership striker, Adrian Littlejohn, representing the Imps for nine games, only one of which was a start. How about Michael Blackwood?
The summer of 2005 saw a mass exodus and in to replace the leaving players, came players such as Dean Keates, Gary Birch, Paul Mayo and Willis Francis.......what? Who? A young player who we signed from Grantham Town, only to then be sent back near enough as soon as he had arrived. Danny Bacon, anyone?
John Schofield didn't object to random players either. How about on-loan Birmingham midfielder, Mat Birley? Or how about the man that the club made such a big deal about that he signed his contract on the pitch, Ryan Semple then went on to make just 4 appearances for the club. Or how about the great loan signings of Junior Mendes and Peter Holmes?
Adam Smith joined on loan from Chesterfield in what was one of Peter Jackson's first signings. He set up a goal on his debut, one of just three games he played for City.
And that's your lot, a list of players who were known whilst at the club but have probably not been mentioned by anyone connected with City until now.
Have I missed anyone? What say you, Tom Wilkinson?
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Mark Sterigopolus(spelling???) or was he 1999?
Dene Cropper.
Steve Watts ?? played a few games in the 02/03 season.
Adie Mike scored 2 in like 17 games,1 was against port vale if i remember.
Rory May
1) Got sent off at Cheltenham
2) He was a right mardy @#$%&. I've never seen anyone react in such a childish way when they've been told they can't have an apple pie.
Now doesn't that say something about our scouting methods?
matt carbon returned for one game against hull
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:27:12:49:31 by mightyimp1.