Lincoln City fans, pinch yourselves—it’s real. The Imps are heading back to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1961, after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Easter Monday. It’s not just a story of promotion; it’s a tale of resilience, smart planning, and a club that’s defied the odds at every turn.
The stakes were sky-high heading into Monday’s clash. After a hard-fought win on Friday that moved Lincoln to 87 points, the equation was simple: avoid defeat at Reading and promotion to the Championship would be theirs. If they lost, a draw between Bolton and Stockport would still see them up. But Michael Skubala’s men weren’t interested in relying on anyone else—they wanted to seize the moment themselves.
And seize it they did. Ryan Oné, the Sheffield United loanee who had already etched his name into Imps folklore with an 88th-minute winner against Wimbledon on Good Friday, opened the scoring just five minutes in. The away end erupted as Oné nodded home a Reeco Hackett-Fairchild free-kick, with Reading’s keeper Joel Pereira left rooted. It was a dream start for the 2,884 Lincoln fans who had made the journey, and a sign of things to come.
Reading, themselves chasing a play-off spot and celebrating the anniversary of their record-breaking 106-point season, weren’t about to roll over. They pressed and probed but found Lincoln’s defence—statistically the best in League One this season—unyielding. Charlie Savage squandered a rare chance, and Ryley Towler’s drive flew narrowly over. Lincoln, content to soak up pressure, looked to hit on the break, nearly doubling their lead before the break.
As the second half wore on, tension mounted. Lincoln, so close to their goal, sat deeper, inviting Reading forward. Substitute Alfie Lloyd headed wide, and the Royals kept pushing. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, heartbreak—or so it seemed. Lewis Wing curled in a stunning 20-yard free-kick to level the scores, silencing the away end and threatening to spoil the Imps’ party.
But this Lincoln side doesn’t know when it’s beaten. With virtually the last kick of the game, Jack Moylan slammed home from close range—his 96th-minute winner sparking wild scenes among players and supporters alike. Promotion was sealed in the most dramatic fashion possible. As manager Michael Skubala put it, "It's an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season." (BBC Sport)
With five games to spare, Lincoln City sit 19 points clear of third-placed Bradford City. Only Cardiff, currently 12 points adrift but with a game in hand, can mathematically deny the Imps the League One title. But the main prize—a place in the Championship—has already been secured.
It’s been a season for the ages. Lincoln are unbeaten in their last 24 league games, the longest current run in the entire English Football League. Their last defeat came back on November 22, 2025, away at Wycombe Wanderers. Since then, they’ve won 19 and drawn five, boasting the league’s best attack and the meanest defence. Their home, the 10,669-capacity LNER Stadium, will be the smallest in the Championship next season—a badge of honor for a club that’s made a habit of punching above its weight.
This isn’t just a one-season wonder. Lincoln’s rise has been years in the making. As recently as 2011, they dropped out of the Football League, finishing 13th in the National League a decade ago. But three promotions, a famous FA Cup quarter-final run as a non-league side in 2017, and an EFL Trophy win at Wembley have marked their steady climb. As club CEO Liam Scully says, "It takes a village. It takes consistent behaviour. Arguably, boringly consistent behaviour over a length of time. We've been this broad version of us since 2019 and have rarely deviated from our plan." (Mirror Football)
The club’s transfer model has been lauded for its shrewdness. Young, undervalued players are developed and sold on at a profit—like striker Jovan Makama, who fetched over £1 million when he moved to Norwich. This summer, Irish midfielder Jack Moylan, Monday’s hero, could attract interest, but Lincoln have already tied him down to a long-term deal. The same goes for Skubala, under contract until 2028. Experience has been added at the back, with EFL veterans Tendayi Darikwa, Sonny Bradley, and Adam Reach providing leadership for the younger squad members.
On the pitch, there’s no single superstar—just a collective effort. Nineteen different players have found the net this season, but none has hit double figures. As director of football Jez George puts it, "Off the pitch, the credit goes to an unbelievable group of staff. On the pitch, it's exactly the same; we don't have a superstar. We have 10 or 12 candidates to be player of the year." (Mirror Football)
Financially, Lincoln continue to operate with one of the smallest budgets in League One. Ben Fisher, speaking on talkSPORT, noted, "They've got a bottom-half budget, sort of 16th, 17th in the division. And Lincoln are defying the odds. Remarkable job by Michael Skubala." The club’s American owners, led by Ron Fowler, have promised evolution rather than revolution—no wild spending sprees, just steady investment and a focus on sustainability.
Fans have responded in kind. Even before promotion was confirmed, 6,000 season tickets for next year had already been snapped up. There’s a palpable sense of excitement, with supporters dreaming of away days at Tottenham Hotspur or local derbies against Nottingham Forest. The club is planning a new fanzone and minor stadium improvements, but there’s no rush to expand beyond their means. As Fowler says, it’s all about the "David and Goliath mentality."
For Michael Skubala and his squad, the job isn’t quite done. "We want to win the title, the lads have said that they definitely want to win it," the manager vowed. "It's going to be tough, but let's go and get that done as well. We'll enjoy tonight, we'll go out and have a beer. But we'll be back in on Wednesday, after a day off tomorrow, and then we'll be ready for a big game at home [Leyton Orient on Saturday]." (BBC Sport)
After a 65-year wait, Lincoln City are back where they believe they belong. The celebrations may last a while, but there’s a sense this is just the beginning of a new chapter for the Imps. With a united club, a passionate fanbase, and a clear vision, who’s to say how far this remarkable journey can go?