It's no secret that The Imps are once again in the hunt for Michael Bridges, as rumoured every year. Only this time the management have confirmed it, this time he's been to Sincil Bank and this time we appear to be the front runners in the chase. Or are we?
News is circulating today that Leicester City might be interested in the 30 year old hitman. With the Foxes freshly reinstated in the Championship the decision would seem to be an easy one for Bridges if they decide to make a move. Or will it?
Foxes messageboards have hit out at the clubs interest in the ex Sunderland man, describing the move as a backward step and suggesting if they were fishing for a 30+ striker from the lower reaches they'd have caught Lee Hughes instead. It seems Bridges would appear at the Walkers stadium a much maligned and misunderstood figure.
However life for him at Sincil Bank would be different. He has been the Holy Grail for Imps fans ever since he dropped down to play for Carlisle a few years ago. Ever since Imps fans have asked 'Why can't we sign someone like Bridges', or 'Michael Bridges can do a job for us'. Indeed Michael Bridges can do a job for us, a far wider reaching job than putting the ball in the net.
Michael Bridges moving to Lincoln will help unify the management and the two very distinct sets of fans. Firstly he'd reinstall the faith all the fans had in Peter Jackson when he first appeared. Instead of the doubters thinking he's the man who missed out on Rene Howe, Michael Boulding and Gareth Evans, he'll be the man who brought the Sincil Bank saviour to our hallowed turf. He's already made a start by bringing Richard Butcher home where he belongs, now bring us the knight in shining armour as well.
Then he'd unite the two sets of fans, the Passionista types who are behind the club no matter what, and the DnG merchants (not Dany N'Guessan, but Doom n Gloom). The Passionista's would see Bridges as proof that their faith isn't misplaced, that the age old 'Lincoln don't want promotion' argument that started in 1982 is finally dispelled through an ambitious and exciting signing.
The DnG merchants would probably finally stop arguing that we don't want promotion, and 27 years of whinging might finally stop. Those doubters see the word Bridges as a by-word for goals - and goals are what we have found so hard to come by.
Perhaps by signing for City Bridges would also lay to rest the spectre of a Mr Patulea, and instead of being the fly by night holiday romance that he turned out to be, Bridges could become the match made in heaven club legend that we've needed for so long.
However how solid is the interest from Leicester? Are they actually looking to sign Bridges, or is this an elaborate stunt to try and drive down the price of DnG (not Doom n Gloom merchants, Dany N'Guessan our ex sometimes-I-can-be-bothered winger). The indications are a tribunal fee may favour us given his pedigree, so Leicester are keen to settle out of court so to speak. If they 'pursue' Bridges then do us the favour of pulling out, perhaps we'll be more pliable in negotiations?
Perhaps a far less cynical view is that Bridges agent is having one last go at drumming up some interest in his product before he commits to a life in the lower leagues. However both the agent and The future 'Mr Lincoln City' Bridges need to know that putting pen to paper on a contract at Lincoln is putting pen to paper on a love affair that could run and run. You can't get that at the Walkers Stadium.