FACTORY STAFF SEWING SEEDS OF SUCCESS FOR THEIR TEAM AS IMPS FACE PLAY-OFF CHALLENGE

Football crazy factory workers will be swapping their sewing machines for season tickets if the Imps make it to the Second Division.

Staff at Tanya Knitwear, in Ferry Road, Fiskerton, have been showing their support for Lincoln City’s play-off campaign by donning the Echo’s Imps hats.

And the fans hope they will still be wearing them after tomorrow’s second semi-final game.

Worker Julie Hutchinson (37) has fond memories of this season. Last November she arranged for her husband Andy to be a mascot as a surprise for his 40th birthday. Mr Hutchinson was the team’s first adult mascot.

“He put on all the kit and went out with the players in the match against Carlisle,” said Mrs Hutchinson, from Lincoln.

“He had a brilliant time and had a bit of fun with Poacher the Imp.

“We go to most of the games – me, my husband and the children. We’re all fans.”

Paula Chardoux (26) grew up with two brothers – who made her watch the football all the time.

“Because of my brothers I have become a bit of a fan and am quite into football,” she said.

“You don’t have a lot of choice when you grow up with boys.

“I’ve been to a few of the games and I’ll be rooting for them tomorrow.”

The staff have even put an Imps poster up on the factory floor to show their support for the team.

Matthew Mand (20) has been supporting the team since he was a child. He was at the first match of the play-offs on Saturday.

“It wasn’t a bad game,” said Mr Mand, from Lincoln.

“We were a bit poor in the first half but in the second half I think we outplayed them.

“It’s going to be a tough match on Wednesday but I’m hopeful.

“We’ve got a good squad of players who can get the right result.

“I had a season ticket when I was growing up but I don’t get to go as often as I’d like now.”

Mr Mand rates striker Gary Fletcher as his favourite player.

“He’s got that extra bit of quality,” he said.

But Mr Mand will not be making it to the second play-off match – he has to work.

“It’s a bit of a shame but I’ll have it on the radio and I’ll listen to it all the way through,” he said.

Mr Mand dreams of seeing his team in the Second Division.

But he thinks they will have their work cut out for them getting there.

“It’ll be tough getting there and it’ll be tough staying there,” he said.

“But we’re a good team and I’m hopeful we’ll do well.”

Martin Richardson (31) was in Cardiff last year supporting the team.

“I was disappointed by the result of course but it was a good game,” he said.

“The atmosphere was very good and I’m hoping we’ll be there again this year.

“And this time, I hope we’ll be the winning team.”

When Gareth Chapman is not playing football himself, he is watching the Imps.

The 24-year-old, from Skellingthorpe, is hoping to follow the team to Cardiff.

“I like to see them play and if they made it to the Second Division it would be brilliant,” he said.