Jamie Clapham insists he will be fit and ready for the start of Lincoln City’s season
NEW Lincoln City defender Jamie Clapham has reassured Imps fans that he will be fighting fit for the start of the new League Two campaign.
The 34-year-old joined City on a one-year deal on Monday to become manager Chris Sutton’s eighth new arrival this summer after being released by League One Notts County.
-
Defender Jamie Clapham.
Lincoln-born Clapham, whose grandad, Bert Wilkinson, played for the Imps between 1945 and 1950 making 45 appearances, played more than 35 games for the Meadow Lane club last season but last starred in a competitive game in April as County motored to the League Two title.
The versatile Clapham is expected to heap pressure on first-choice left-back Joe Anderson this summer but is also expected to give Sutton options in other areas of the pitch.
“I am feeling good. I have been doing my own fitness work at home, which is not quite the same, but my levels were okay when I joined Lincoln,” said the former Ipswich and Birmingham defender.
“I managed to get a run-out at Bishop’s Stortford which I was delighted about and it was the first time I had kicked a ball since leaving County, apart from one training session with Notts this summer.
“I have always kept a good level of fitness regardless and I am not the sort of person that does nothing. I quite enjoy doing running and cross-country and I am now looking forward to the next couple of weeks with Lincoln.”
IN YOUR ECHO: The full interview with Jamie Clapham.
10 Comments
View all
by wayne w, lincoln
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:10PM
“16 days to find a striker!”
by Kev R, lincoln
Thursday, July 22 2010, 8:45PM
“It's great to see Sutton building a useful looking side for next season.
Is it now worth looking at the fans and the lack of atmosphere in the Co-op stand now that the band no longer play? I know Leigh Curtis has often been critical of the fans in the past. I wonder if the Echo could help to improve the atmosphere. Certainly this would aid the team and add to fans match day enjoyment. I note that the Trust has advertised on their website for a drummer to play in the Echo stand. However an article on the Trust website is not widely read or likely to reach anyone outside the diehard fans. Indeed I understand the Trust has not had any replies. Could the Echo help by perhaps running a competition? Maybe aimed at schools, college or uni? even with the promise of sponsorship by the Echo if successful (free entry?). Lack of atmosphere in the Co-op stand was a big issue last year, this could be a way of improving that (and attendances for little outlay and boosting Echo readership. Look what the Passionista campaign did for the Stacey West - we need a similar campaign for the Co-op. Come on the Echo, can you do anything?”
by martonimp, Nettleham
Thursday, July 22 2010, 5:12PM
“Strange article. So Jamie Clapham hasn't started a competitive game since April - as opposed to the rest of the players who haven't started a game since early May! Classic Echo non-story.”
by Mark, Newbury
Thursday, July 22 2010, 2:11PM
“Another brainless comment. We are a small club, people need to get real.
The club needs fans to get behind the club, I sometimes think that some fans actually want to see the club struggle, to prove a point. Its a catch 22 scenario, dont get your season ticket, you miss out by not seeing your club and the club misses out on revenue which will help fund that 20+ striker. Sutton has his hands tied and I believe is doing ok.
Answer me one question Malc, where would you rather be, pre season this season, or pre season last season??
UTI”
by vaughny, lincs
Thursday, July 22 2010, 12:55PM
“played alot of games at a high level ant turned out for county 35 times in quality side last term so,yeah i think we should be happy about this.very shrewd sutton, up the imps”