Target
Within weeks of the 2002/03 season ending, Goddard quit. Coincidentally, a few days later, Grantham Town were also looking for a new manager following the resignation of John Wilkinson. As expected, in late May 2003, Wilkinson was appointed as Lincoln United's new manager, setting the target of a high final Division One placing as his goal, in a season when the whole non-league pyramid would be restructured.

Wilkinson set about rebuilding the side including the notable signings of Gary Bull and Mark Hone as well as a number of former Grantham Town players, some of whom had played under Wilkinson in his first spell as United Manager.

The season went well, with United finishing fourth and collecting the Unibond Fair Play Award for the Division. As a result of their league position, United moved into the restructured Unibond Premier Division. It was United's highest finish since 1998.

Seasons 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 saw United struggle to consolidate their position in the Premier League and last season, only a victory on the final day of the season ensured their safety.

However, the season finished on a bright note when United beat Brigg Town to win the Lincolnshire FA Senior Shield.

Mid table finish and major change
Last season started brightly and the re-signing of goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi from Grantham Town was a major boost. However, despite a mid table finish, the season ended disappointingly with three successive defeats. John Wilkinson left the club by mutual agreement at the end of the season to re-join Grantham Town.

United quickly appointed former Hucknall Town Manager John Ramshaw to replace Wilkinson and he set about totally rebuilding the squad. One of his first appointments was to sign former United player Chris White as his assistant.

With the majority of last years side having followed John Wilkinson to Grantham, many of the new players came from outside the Lincoln area and included Ben Scott from Ilkeston and Justin Jenkins from Hednesford Town. In fact, of the previous seasons team only four players remained.

The season started well with an opening day victory over promotion favourites Witton Albion and impressive away wins followed at Prescott Cables,Ilkeston and Ashton.

However, by the beginning of October the club was in decline and saw the departure of a number of players including fans favourite Alex Rodman to neighbours Gainsborough Trinity. A run of only one win in eleven games saw the departure of John Ramshaw and his assistant Chris White was put in temporary charge. White was unable to arrest the decline and after taking just one point from a possible fifteen available, he was replaced by former Retford boss Mark Shaw.

He was given the task of rebuilding the team and there were a number of key departures from Ashby Avenue including Ben Scott to Hednesford. Amongst Shaw's first signings were former Scarborough keeper Leigh Walker, Nathan Swindells, Joel Burks and Scott Brough. Brough's previous clubs included Scunthorpe United where he played 57 games and scored 3 goals.

Despite Shaw's best efforts, he was unable to turn the situation around and the Whites suffered their first relegation since the 1978/79 season.

New Beginning
At the end of the season Mark Shaw was dismissed by the club and reserve team manager, Seamus Lawless was appointed in his place.

Seamus was keen to refocus the club with the acquisition of more locally based players and some of the first signings saw the return of familiar faces to Ashby Avenue including Mario Ziccardi, Brendan McDaid, Sam Wilkinson and Ian Wilkins. From the previous seasons campaign only long serving Gary Walters, Gio Carchedi and Tom Mallinson remained.

Work issues saw Lawless step down the following season and between him, his assistant Chris Moyses and Baz Barker they oversaw the best FA Cup run since 1997 but it took ten games to get a league win. The Cup run ended in the 4th Round of Qualifying at home to Cambridge United. Within days Lawless had sadly had to quit, Chairman Chris Geeson appointed from within and turned to John Wilkinson with one instruction, "Keep the club in the Northern Premier League."

That was achieved and the club will need Wilkinson's experience to see it through a difficult period in it's history.