Brabin emerges as bookies favourite

Last updated : 06 September 2009 By Gary Hutchinson

Brabin spent  a short period on loan at the club in 1999, and last year guided Cambridge Utd to second place in the BSP. Normally assisted by ex Imp Stuart Bimson, last years BSP Manager of the Year was a target for Blackpool prior to his departure from The Abbey Stadium.

Brabin has a prickly, tough guy image and left Cambridge after falling out with the board. He stated he had applied for the job in local media, and the 38 year old looks a popular choice to take the helm.

The fires have been fuelled by Stuart Bimson's appearance at Sincil Bank on Saturday, and odds of 6-1 are falling by the hour despite other sources linking Mark Cooper of Kettering.

The previous bookies favourite was ex Imp John Ward, but he moved to Colchester as Aidy Boothroyds assistant on Friday.

Brabin is looking like the main choice though, fitting the bill of a 'hungry young manager with league and non league' contacts perfectly. As a player he plied his trade at Hull, Doncaster and Luton before ending his career in Wales. He earned a reputation as a hardman, and dare we say looked 'portly' at best during his spell at City. However even though the other 39 odd applicants are unknown, we do know Brabin is on the list, and with Bimson at the side of him could be a popular choice with Imps fans.

Ex England manager also spent a spell on loan at Lincoln, as did Notts County manager Ian McPartland. In a cruel twist of irony it could be McPartland next on the League Two sack list after some uninspiring results at Meadow Lane.