Dave Frecklington steps down as Lincoln United boss

Pic: Lincoln United FC

LINCOLN UNITED are still targeting promotion next season despite seeing manager Dave Frecklington walk away from the club.

Frecklington had been in charge of the Whites for three seasons and in his final campaign, guided Lincoln to a fifth-place finish before defeat in the Evo-Stik NPL South play-offs to Shaw Lane Aquaforce.

The former Shepshed Dynamo boss admitted he was considering his future after the play-off disappointment, saying he had found it tough to juggle football with family and business commitments.

And following talks with new chairman Ian Beaumont, outgoing chairman Malcolm Cowling and director of football Allen Crombie, he has decided to step down.

While the club are sad to see the former Lincoln City player go, Cowling says the club’s focus will be on appointing a successor and gearing up for another shot at promotion to Step 3.

He said: “Whilst we are obviously disappointed that Dave won’t be staying with the club to build on the success of the last three years and have another go at promotion, we fully understand his decision.

“He has done more for Lincoln United on the field than anyone in the club’s recent history and we wish him well in whatever he does in football in the future.

“As for Lincoln United, nothing changes and we still intend to do everything we can to win promotion. We’ll start the process of looking for a new manager immediately so that we can get him in place well in time for pre-season training, friendlies and the start of the 2016-17 campaign.”

Frecklington’s assistant Sam Wilkinson has been appointed caretaker manager while the club’s board ponder their next move.