Lincoln’s biggest non-league club are often dwarfed by their League One neighbours, Lincoln City, but the Whites are on the up and it’s reflected in their league home crowds.
Lincoln United have seen an increase in their average attendance of over twenty percent as they were promoted to the Pitching in Northern Premier League, a return to step four for the non-league club.
The club play at the Sun-Hat Villas & Resorts Stadium, colloquially known as ‘Ashby Avenue’ and saw attendances increase to 246 at home, as former manager Scott Hellewell guided the club to the United Counties League Premier North league title and the Lincolnshire County Senior Trophy. 
The 2020/21 season was curtailed for all of society as the ‘COVID-19’ pandemic continued across the world and this damage was felt by non-league clubs, with games suspended as lockdowns entailed. Sam Wilkinson, former player, manager and current Vice-Chair of the club, said:
“COVID was so hard for all non-league clubs. We rely heavily on the hard work of our volunteers to help the club run but ultimately the gate is so important to keep the club going. We are lucky, like most non-league clubs, to have generous sponsors but surviving during that period wasn’t easy.”
It didn’t get much easier for the club after lockdowns were lifted however, as the club finished 16th which saw them survive at step four but saw only an average gate of only 200. The following season saw The Whites relegated down to step five seeing another mediocre average crowd of 209.
The 2023/24 season saw a remarkable season for the club as they went far into the Isuzu FA Vase, seeing an attendance of over 1,400 for the semi-final defeat to Romford Town. They would go onto finish second that season with an average attendance of 201, before going on to lose in the playoffs despite winning the Lincolnshire County Senior Trophy.
Sam Wilkinson said: “It was amazing to see such a crowd at Ashby Avenue for the (FA) Vase semi-final. I love this club so much and it was unbelievable to see so much of the community there for the game, even though we went onto lose in a heartbreaking way.”
The 2024/25 season saw Scott Hellewell appointed manager who would go onto guide the club back to step four. The success on the pitch was reflected in the crowds as they averaged 246 fans, including a gate of 683 for a title defining game against Heanor Town, which was the fifth highest attendance at step five across the country that day.
“The whole season was a rollercoaster, with us competing with Eastwood CFC and Bourne Town for the title but our crowds were great, particularly for the run in. I should praise Lincoln City for their help as they encouraged fans to come down and support us particularly for the Heanor game.”
The Whites face a challenge to survive this season back at step four but their home crowds will definitely be a major strength in their battle for survival.
