Lincoln Invictus was founded in April 2020 however its roots go back to May 2017 when the first PAN Disability team was formed under the banner of Ruston Sports FC. The team was set up by Lincoln Christer with its initial focus on providing Youth PAN Disability Football. The team began playing football within the Lincolnshire Ability Counts League at the start of the 2017/18 season.

 

As player numbers grew two ‘youth’ teams were entered into the 2018/19 Lincolnshire Ability Counts League, with the team also taking part in East Midlands PAN Disability Youth league fixtures. Over the following years the number of players grew and the club was able to enter teams into both the ‘open aged’ and ‘youth’ leagues. 

 

April 2020 saw the creation of Lincoln Invictus, when members of Ruston Sports FC walking football section and PAN Disability section formed the club. Both sections were seeing a rapid growth in player numbers, playing the small sided version of the game (5v5 or 6v6), training at Ruston Sports Club but playing monthly league fixtures at a central venue.

 

The club motto ‘I am the master of my fate’ is taken from ‘Invictus’ a short poem written by English poet William Ernest Henley. The motivational poem talks about a person’s battle with mental and physical impediments and epitomises what the club stands for.

 

The day to day administration of the Clubs Inclusive and Walking Football sections are run by the two management committees, governed by an over-arching executive committee.

 

During the 2020/21 season the Inclusive Section provided support to a number of its players in attaining their ‘Introduction to coaching football’ qualifications and encouraging their development as coaches. Support continues to this day via financial assistance as well as help with completing FA courses and providing opportunities for coach development. The scheme has contributed to the individuals building confidence and developing skills. Many have secured employment and voluntary opportunities as a result.

 

 In 2022, the club was awarded the Lincolnshire FA ‘Grassroots Club of the Year’ and awarded ‘Active Club Award’ at the Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards.

 

June 2023 saw the club selected to become one of 30 pilot clubs nationally to run the FA Comets program, the club has continued with the sessions since that date and expanded the provision to 2 sessions a week in the summer of 2024.

 

August 2023 saw the club become a Lincolnshire FA LGBTQ+ Accredited club with foundations of unity, inclusivity and acceptance.

 

The continued growth in player numbers saw the Club move their ‘open aged’ Inclusive teams to the East Midlands PAN Disability league for the 2023/24 season where they joined the ‘youth’ teams.

 

The 2023/24 season saw Lincoln Invictus win the inaugural Lincolnshire FA Disability County Cup which they successfully retained in the 2024/25 season. 

 

The summer of 2024 saw the Inclusive section partner with Lincoln City Foundation and move their training sessions to the LNER Stadium.

 

July 2025 saw the club hold its inaugural ‘Stuart Waters-Manning’ Memorial Tournament in memory of a former player who sadly passed away in 2024. The event raised £1000 for epilepsy charities and will run annually.

 

In 2025 Lincoln Christer won the ‘Disability Pathway Coach of the Year’ award.

 

The Inclusive Section has successfully won numerous league titles in both youth and open aged formats of the games. The Club also annually attends festivals and tournaments including the ‘Liam Jinks Cup’, the ‘Bradford Disability Football Club Tournament’, the Norwich City ‘Canary Cup’, the Crystal Palace ‘Palace for Life Festival’ and ‘Billericay Town Soccability Tournament’.

 

The Club funds and administers a Player Access Fund, offering financial support to members from low income households. The fund covers membership fees, kits, boots and travel expenses. The Club is passionate in ensuring that it is inclusive for all and that no one is excluded from participation on financial grounds.

 

The Club is a registered provider for Social Prescribing, offering football sessions to individuals to support with improving their wellbeing.

 

The Inclusive Section currently has 6 ‘Open Aged’ teams and 4 ‘Youth’ teams taking part within the East Midlands PAN Disability League.

 

The Inclusive Section has retained its close links with the Walking Football section which offer competitive and social football to players of all ages and abilities, boasting mixed and female-only UEFA B coach led sessions. The clubs competitive Walking Football teams participate in the Lincolnshire Walking Football League, with a number of players having represented their home nation in international fixtures. 

 

Lincoln Invictus continues to strive to lead the way in inclusion in football…

 

Visit their socials and website below to find out more.