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CLUB STATEMENT - ALLEN CROMBIE AND CHRIS FUNNELL TO STEP DOWN AFTER ONE OF THE CLUB’S BEST SEASONS
Charlie Fytche26 Apr - 08:19
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Allen Crombie has confirmed that he will be stepping down as Chair of Lincoln United at the Club’s AGM scheduled for next month. Chris Funnell has also announced that he will be stepping down as the Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect.
Both are leaving the Club after what has arguably been one of its most successful seasons. The Men’s First Team finished second in the United Counties League Premier Division North but lost out in the playoff finals. They also reached the FA Vase semi-final for the first time in the Club’s history, the UCL League Cup semi-final, and won the Lincs FA Senior Cup.
Allen Crombie said: ”It was always the case that my taking the chair was an interim role during which we would try to improve things throughout the Club, and with everyone’s support and hard work, we have achieved a great deal. On the field, the Men’s First Team has had one of its best seasons ever and Chris Funnell, his staff and the players have worked tirelessly throughout a season in which they’ve played nearly 60 games, competing to the very end in four different competitions. I would like to thank Chris for everything he has done for the Club and we all wish him well for the future. Off the field, we have been incredibly lucky to have secured a solid base of existing and new sponsors and I know the Club will continue to work closely with them moving forward. The Supporters’ Trust is proving to be a great asset and, as always, our loyal band of volunteers has stepped up to the plate, especially for our two record-breaking Vase games. Last, but not least, our fans have been tremendous, and I hope we can continue to grow the number of people coming through the gate to support their local non-league team.
The task now is to build on this great season and make sure the Club keeps improving and I’ll be working with my colleagues until a new chair is appointed, and in some capacity thereafter, to make sure Lincoln United is in the best possible place for the start of the new season and beyond.”
Speaking about his decision to step down, Chris Funnell said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Lincoln United story and after the disappointment of last season, when the Men’s First Team were relegated, it is testimony to everyone involved that we were able to turn in such an impressive season. Of course, it is disappointing that we couldn’t get that Wembley appearance or promotion, but that shouldn’t detract from our overall success and the hard work that everyone put in. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have given me – the Board, the staff and players, the volunteers, and the fans – they all make Lincoln United the great Club that it is.”
Vice chair, Sam Wilkinson, paid tribute to both Allen and Chris: “We are sorry to see two stalwarts of the Club leaving, especially as they have both been hugely instrumental in what has been a very good season. Allen Crombie is a true Whites’ legend, and he has done a fantastic job in setting the Club on a stronger footing and in a better position than it has been for some years. I’m sure he will be involved in some way in the future, and he’ll continue to be part of the Club which has been so important in his football career. Chris Funnell has done an excellent job in picking up a Men’s team that experienced the pain of relegation last season and turning them into one which fought to the very end on all fronts and came agonisingly close to a Vase final and promotion.
On behalf of the Board and everyone involved at Lincoln United, I would like to thank both Allen and Chris for everything they have done for the Club and to say that, of course, they will always be welcome at Ashby Avenue.
Our sole focus now, however, is to find their replacements and to get ready for the next season and to keep improving everything that we do at the Club. There’s a lot to be excited about at Lincoln United and we can’t wait to start on the next chapter.”
Both are leaving the Club after what has arguably been one of its most successful seasons. The Men’s First Team finished second in the United Counties League Premier Division North but lost out in the playoff finals. They also reached the FA Vase semi-final for the first time in the Club’s history, the UCL League Cup semi-final, and won the Lincs FA Senior Cup.
Allen Crombie said: ”It was always the case that my taking the chair was an interim role during which we would try to improve things throughout the Club, and with everyone’s support and hard work, we have achieved a great deal. On the field, the Men’s First Team has had one of its best seasons ever and Chris Funnell, his staff and the players have worked tirelessly throughout a season in which they’ve played nearly 60 games, competing to the very end in four different competitions. I would like to thank Chris for everything he has done for the Club and we all wish him well for the future. Off the field, we have been incredibly lucky to have secured a solid base of existing and new sponsors and I know the Club will continue to work closely with them moving forward. The Supporters’ Trust is proving to be a great asset and, as always, our loyal band of volunteers has stepped up to the plate, especially for our two record-breaking Vase games. Last, but not least, our fans have been tremendous, and I hope we can continue to grow the number of people coming through the gate to support their local non-league team.
The task now is to build on this great season and make sure the Club keeps improving and I’ll be working with my colleagues until a new chair is appointed, and in some capacity thereafter, to make sure Lincoln United is in the best possible place for the start of the new season and beyond.”
Speaking about his decision to step down, Chris Funnell said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Lincoln United story and after the disappointment of last season, when the Men’s First Team were relegated, it is testimony to everyone involved that we were able to turn in such an impressive season. Of course, it is disappointing that we couldn’t get that Wembley appearance or promotion, but that shouldn’t detract from our overall success and the hard work that everyone put in. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have given me – the Board, the staff and players, the volunteers, and the fans – they all make Lincoln United the great Club that it is.”
Vice chair, Sam Wilkinson, paid tribute to both Allen and Chris: “We are sorry to see two stalwarts of the Club leaving, especially as they have both been hugely instrumental in what has been a very good season. Allen Crombie is a true Whites’ legend, and he has done a fantastic job in setting the Club on a stronger footing and in a better position than it has been for some years. I’m sure he will be involved in some way in the future, and he’ll continue to be part of the Club which has been so important in his football career. Chris Funnell has done an excellent job in picking up a Men’s team that experienced the pain of relegation last season and turning them into one which fought to the very end on all fronts and came agonisingly close to a Vase final and promotion.
On behalf of the Board and everyone involved at Lincoln United, I would like to thank both Allen and Chris for everything they have done for the Club and to say that, of course, they will always be welcome at Ashby Avenue.
Our sole focus now, however, is to find their replacements and to get ready for the next season and to keep improving everything that we do at the Club. There’s a lot to be excited about at Lincoln United and we can’t wait to start on the next chapter.”
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