Lincoln Cathedral – Lincoln City Football Club

A red sign celebrating the origin of Lincoln City Football Club’s nickname – The Imps – has been unveiled at Lincoln Cathedral.

Historic England grant secures immediate future of former school in Peterborough Cathedral’s precinct, a plaque will be unveiled on the visitor centre at Lincoln Cathedral marking an iconic connection with the city it serves, and Worcester Cathedral opens new footpath that strengthens the link between the city and the cathedral, just some of the heritage and community projects completed in our cathedrals this summer.

A plaque is to be unveiled on the visitor centre at Lincoln Cathedral marking an iconic connection with Lincoln City Football Club.

A red sign celebrating the origin of Lincoln City Football Club’s nickname – The Imps – will be unveiled at a special event next Friday.

The sign has been created by the Red Imps Community Trust (RICT) as part of its commitment to celebrating and sharing the heritage of Lincoln City Football Club.

The iconic Imp carving, which is found in the Angel Choir in Lincoln Cathedral, has a rich history of myth and legend and has become synonymous with the city of Lincoln over the years, in particular with the football club, which is known as The Imps.

The Lincoln City mascot, Poacher the Imp, is a six-foot incarnation of the Lincoln Imp and can be seen weekly at matches entertaining the fans visiting the LNER Stadium which has the Cathedral as its backdrop.

The plaque itself is currently on display in the Cathedral as part of the LCFC Heritage Exhibition taking place in the Chapter House.

Ben Webb, Commercial Director at Lincoln Cathedral, said that the plaque was a great way of marking the longstanding relationship between the football club and the Cathedral,

“While a cathedral and a football club might seem very different, there are many similarities; both are symbols of a vibrant community where people of all different backgrounds can come together with a common interest.

“We’re delighted to be building on our longstanding partnerships with both Lincoln City Football Club and the Red Imps Community Trust, as we all celebrate the city and the passionate people that support the football club, the Cathedral, and the community.” 

Rob Bradley, Chair of RICT said,

“Our Red Imps Community Trust remit of recognising the history of Lincoln City Football Club from a modest start a few years ago has grown into something we are now very proud of. There is much more to a football club than results on the pitch. Year after year the lives of people are enhanced by the camaraderie within a club and the friendships we form across the city.

“To recognise the Imp connection between Lincoln City and our amazing Cathedral this way is fantastic. We hope people from both home and away enjoy how jointly we are acknowledging the story of this fascinating link between us.”

The plaque will be unveiled at 2pm on Friday 22 August 2025, marking the culmination of the LCFC Heritage exhibition which is currently running in the Chapter House at the Cathedral and will close on Sunday 24 August 2025.