Lincoln City romped to the League Two title and confirmed their second promotion in three seasons.
Manager Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky Cowley increased their growing stature in the game with another impressive season, and next term they could be a dark horse for yet another promotion.
The 2018-19 campaign began superbly for the Imps as they won five of their first six games before tasting defeat at home to Crawley Town.
Cowley’s men spent all but six weeks at the top of the division and their consistency was the main reason they were able to secure promotion without much worry.
John Akinde was the top scorer, netting 15 goals in the league, but Lincoln were promoted because of their scoring depth as 10 players scored more than four goals.
Overall, the team finished with 85 points and lost just seven games.
HEAD TO HEAD
Sunderland and Lincoln City have met eight times in their history but have not faced each other in a league game since 1961.
Both sides have won three times against one and other while drawing twice.
MEMORABLE MEETING
The last time these sides met was in 1999 when Sunderland travelled to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln in the FA Cup third round.
Peter Reid’s men played a fairly strong side that day with Niall Quinn, Chris Makin, Thomas Sorenson, Kevin Ball, Michael Gray and Lee Clark all starting.
It was substitute Gavin McCann who got the goal though and sent Sunderland into the fourth round.
CLUB INFO
Stadium: Sincil Bank
Miles from Stadium of Light: 148
Honours: Football League Trophy 2018
Transfer record: Dean Walling (£75k, 1997)
