Lincoln Cathedral imp marks city football club’s promotion
The imp is keeping onthe kit until the city open-top bus parade next month
The Lincoln Imp has been given a new look to celebrate Lincoln City Football Club’s promotion success.
The imp, a small stone carving that has perched in Lincoln Cathedral for centuries, now wears a red and white striped Lincoln City home shirt.
Lincoln City, nicknamed The Imps, were playing non-league football just nine years ago but have now secured promotion to the Championship for the first time in 65 years.
The imp, Lincoln Cathedral’s most famous resident, is joining in citywide celebrations as the club basks in a successful 2025/26 season which saw the team win the League One title.
Legend says the imp was sent out by the devil to play and the wind blew it to Lincoln. It flew into the cathedral and was attempting to destroy the Angel Choir, when an angel appeared and turned it to stone.
The honour of dressing the imp for the first time went to Stuart Boyfield, a devoted Lincoln City fan and the cathedral’s longest-serving staff member, who has his own stone carving in his likeness in the cathedral.
He was joined by players Jack Moylan and Ivan Varfolomeev.
Midfielder Moylan said: “It has been up there for 800 years and they think this is the first time they’ve ever put anything on it, which shows how much the city has come together to get behind the football club.
“It’s great to see everyone come together to celebrate, and we’re so grateful to everyone at the cathedral for their support.”
The Dean of Lincoln, Dr Simon Jones, said: “Lincoln City Football Club and Lincoln Cathedral might seem like very different kinds of organisation, but at the heart of both are people and communities.
“The team’s performance has brought joy to so many people and there is a sense of pride across the city.
“As the home of the Lincoln Imp we’re delighted that the city, and the football club have taken him to their hearts, and dressing the Lincoln Imp in the colours of the club seems a fitting tribute to the success of the team and the wonderful passion of their supporters.
“We hope it brings a smile to people’s faces when they spot it.”
The figure will remain dressed in the football shirt until after the city’s open-top bus parade on May 9.