By Amanda Lansbury, Vice Chair and EDI Officer
Amanda contacted the @Ladyimps team who put forward Jo Bigger to answer Amanda’s questions.
Tell us a bit about LISA please? Why and how did it come about? LISA stands for Lady Imps Supporters Association, we were formed in 2017 to actively promote female supporters and enhance the experience of female supporters, for example, we created a forum for our members to express their views. We aim to promote football positively to all communities interested in supporting Lincoln City (both the men’s and women’s game) and embrace diversity. Anyone can become a member as long as they support our aims. We are part funded by the Football Supporters Association.
Do you have a working relationship with the Football Club? Yes we do, the club recognize the work that that we do encouraging a positive experience for female fans as well as encouraging diversity in the fanbase and are very supportive of it. We have links into the club to feedback/ work on both things that are going well within the club as well as challenges that people have experienced
We were interested to hear about from your website ladyimps.co.uk you do a lot of community work? Yes community work is a key part of what we do. For example, this season we have teamed up with Edan Lincs a Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse to say No to Domestic Abuse, this has involved them coming onto the fanzone to raise awareness of what they do as well as some press releases. We also reach out to communities that, for whatever reason, have not thought about coming to a game, for example, we invited some members of the Afghan community to be our guests at a game.
A women only fans forum online on Tuesday 17th January via Zoom, what can you tell us about it? Yes this is an opportunity to raise questions and share our experiences with the club Liam Scully our CEO will be there alongside some of the Lincoln City Womens Players. One issue that has been raised by a number of female fans is the official merchandise and that there is not that much available in womens sizes, so this will be one discussion point alongside other questions that members bring.
On to the football. Are you having a good season? What were you expecting/hoping for the2022/23 League Campaign? At the beginning of the season my hope was for mid table consolidation and to not be in a relegation scrap! Think it is fair to say that we are having a mixed season, very good against those above us, for example, we have taken 4 points form our games against Ipswich but really struggling against those below us. We are currently in a bit of a dip and we really need to get some points on the board to consolidate mid table, I think the next 4 games are quite key for us in this..
Losing to Accrington on Tuesday on penalties, so close to Wembley. Were you overly interested in the Papa John’s competition? The competition brings such a mixture of views. For me I loved going to Wembley when we won it when we were in League 2 and so am always interested. Sad to go out as I thought that this was a winnable game but that’s football!
You still have Regan Poole and Joe Walsh and also have Lasse Sorensen on loan. How are they doing? Are they fans favourites, getting regular games? Regan Poole – he was voted player of the season last season, he has carried on being very strong this season, he looks like he could be a championship player but hoping that doesn’t come true this January!
Joe Walsh is a really good player at this level, however, he has been beset by injuries, doing better this season regarding fitness, so hoping this continues…….
Lasse Sorenson, certainly has lots of energy, however, lacks consistency and often comes into games from the bench.
At the time of writing, you’ve made one more window signing than us Harry Boyes. He’s already visited StadiumMK this season and left on the losing side. Do you think he was a good signing and why? He wasn’t a player I had heard of before coming to us. He played almost the day after he signed when we lost 2 – 1 at Charlton. From that game he looked promising, happy to get tackles in and trying to play forwards.
Which players do you expect to cause problems for the Dons on Saturday? Ben House if he is fit, phenomenal work rate and really closes down defences, Jack Diamond can cause issues too.
Who or what made you support the Imps and whats your highlight so far following Lincoln City? My dad took me to games when I was a child and so supported Lincoln from then. Highlight has to be the FA Cup run when we were non league, to get to the quarter finals against Arsenal was fantastic.
What is your score prediction for this Saturday when you visit Stadium MK ? I am not sure if its a prediction but I am hoping for 2 0 Lincoln!
Thank you to Jo for some brilliant answers and we’d like thank @LISA for working with us. We wish you all a safe journey and look forward to doing it all again on the 28th of Feb.
