Lincoln City club captain Lee Frecklington has been giving his thoughts on his emotional return to Rotherham United on Saturday to the Yorkshire Post.
The Millers entertain the Imps in an intriguing League One fixture at the weekend
Frecklington enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the New York Stadium before returning to his home town club in January 2018. The midfielder began his career at Lincoln and is considered ‘one of our own’ by Imps fans but judging by their skipper’s comments in the paper; the thirty-three-year-old keeps a special place n his heart for the Millers. He said of his time in South Yorkshire: ‘I could not ever see myself leaving.’
‘But things happen very quickly in football, and I had to leave, and it was sad really. I thought I would see out my football career there, but it never turned out that way.’
‘For so long, I loved playing for Rotherham and that football club. But I am a Lincoln player now and will be trying to get the points for them. Although a 1-1 draw with me scoring would be nice!’
Frecklington was also candid about the reasons behind his departure, but it was his comment on his prefered result that caused some consternation amongst many unhappy Imps fans when they took to social media to voice their displeasure.
Others fans offered more perspective suggesting the comment was made tongue in cheek and defending their captain’s commitment to the Lincoln City cause. Others felt the remarks were naive and that the experienced campaigner should have known better.
It would appear highly likely that Frecklington will not appear in the Lincoln squad for the encounter as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-standing groin problem. However, his comments certainly provoked a reaction from Lincoln City fans as the following selection of responses to the interview on Twitter illustrates.
Hmmm not impressed
— Rach Simpson (@rachaelmsimpson) August 9, 2019
Lee Frecklington. You’ve had a stinker.
— Toby Freestone (@TobyFreestone) August 9, 2019
Not The Skipper I Relate Too Sadly #UTFI
— Steve Haynes (@VfB_Fox) August 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/neiljoflynn1717/status/1159785273175285762?s=20
Because he clearly doesn't mean that at all!!
— Steve Lawson (@Strila53) August 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/samueljoshua90/status/1159777549012086784?s=20
https://twitter.com/NEZZY80/status/1159795502516461569?s=20
https://twitter.com/LincolnCity1884/status/1159776322417246208?s=20
Yes you can talk like that. Nothing wrong with it.
— Steve Lawson (@Strila53) August 9, 2019
Disappointing quotes from club skipper.Sounds like he would rather still be at Rotherham.I would prefer a 1-0 win for the Imps with Freck getting the goal but cannot see him playing tomorrow anyway
— Tony Smith (@antsmith29) August 9, 2019
Its not these comments the fans want to worry about its the one’s DC made in his press conference, unless he is throwing a curved ball for the other League 1 sides to catch.
Though they’ll all take it with a pinch of salt. There are smaller clubs than us who manage to stay and survive financially in this division. What is he saying that he has taken the club as far as he can…After just one game jeez!!! The fans need some input from the Chairman as to what is the real position in regard finances now and investment in the future. He and Mr Bates have been very quiet. Having DC be their messenger. I always like being proved wrong I just hope I am in this instance.