Lincoln spirits soar despite defeat on second-tier return 65 years in the making

The Imps have not been at this level since 1961 and even a 3-1 loss to Portsmouth could not spoil the sense of joy

There is optimism to be found in almost every corner of the footballing landscape at this time of the year, but on a sunny Saturday lunchtime in one of Britain’s most picturesque cities, you would do well to find anyone without a smile on their face.

Football may not necessarily be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Lincoln. After all, Sincil Bank sits in the shadow of the imposing cathedral, high on the hill and a building that symbolically represents the importance of this area stretching back hundreds of years.