John David Schofield was born in Barnsley on May 16th 1965 and was a relative late comer into the world of professional football, having plied his trade in the non-League scene before joining City from Gainsborough Trinity in November 1988.

An apprentice-trained motor mechanic, Schofield spent a season in Huddersfield Town's reserve side as a teenager before having spells with Woolley Miners Welfare, Shepshed Charterhouse and Matlock Town before joining Gainsborough Trinity in March 1988.

Colin Murphy brought Schofield to Sincil Bank for a fee of £10,000 and he enjoyed a dream debut as the Imps defeated the then Division Four leaders Burnley 4-1 at Turf Moor.

A hard working and combative midfielder, Schofield became a regular feature in City's first team and was appointed as club captain in the 1993/94 season - a campaign which saw him voted 'Player of the Season' by the Imps' supporters.

After 231 League appearances and 11 goals, Schofield departed Sincil Bank in November 1994 for Doncaster Rovers and went on to chalk up a further 110 appearances in the Football League for the Belle Vue outfit.

Moves to Mansfield Town (86 apps) and Hull City (19 apps) followed before Schofield returned to Sincil Bank in June 2000 when he was appointed as the Club's new Head of Youth Development.

A passionate and enthusiastic leader both on and off the pitch, Schofield played a further 24 games for the Imps before retiring from the playing side to concentrate on the Club's youth development programme, which had started to grow significantly following his appointment.

At the head of a team of dedicated coaches and scouts, Schofield's influence helped bring unprecedented success to the Club's youth set up, and this came to the fore when Jack Hobbs, who progressed through the Club's Centre of Excellence, signed a three-year professional contract with the then European Champions Liverpool on his 17th birthday.

A UEFA 'A' licence holder, Schofield was appointed as first team coach prior to the start of last season and, since the turn of the year, was handed more responsibility at first team level, leading to a successful second half of the season. His appointment as Head Coach ensures continuity will be maintained ahead of the new season.

Hobbs' move to Liverpool, meanwhile, was followed up by the transfer of goalkeeper Scott Loach to Watford, whilst first year professionals Lee Frecklington and Oliver Ryan were regulars in City's first team squad last season.

And the fact that eight members of the Club's MASE scholarship programme were offered professional contracts for the 2006/07 season is testament to Schofield's dedication to and passion for Lincoln City Football Club.