Name: Philip John Hubbard
Seasons Played: 1965/66-1971/72, 1976/77-1978/79
Position: Utility
Date of Birth: 25.01.1949
Birthplace: Lincoln
League Debut: 19.02.19667, Chester (h), Div 4
League Games: 250+11
League Goals: 53
Career: LCFC, Norwich City, Grimsby Town, LCFC, Columbus Magic (loan), Boston United, Skegness Town.

Lincoln-born Phil Hubbard made his debut for the Imps shortly after his 17th birthday and was a first team regular before the age of 19.

At different times in his career he appeared at full back, in midfield and as a striker with equal effectiveness although he is remembered at Sincil Bank for his goalscoring achievements.

Hubbard attended St Giles School in Lincoln appearing for his school team and the Lincoln Boys representative side. He also turned out for Lincoln United Reserves and Sunday League club Blanchards Sports at weekends.

His talents were recognised by City's club scout Andy Graver and he was invited to Sincil Bank for trials after which he signed forms as an apprentice.

The Imps were struggling at the foot of the League table at the time and Hubbard soon found himself in the first team making his debut alongside the likes of Ken Allison and Joe Bonson in a 2-2 draw with Chester.

Shortly afterwards Ron Gray was appointed as manager and converted Phil to full back and by December 1968 he had won a regular place in the first team. Once established he went on to play in 121 consecutive League and cup games, not missing a match for the Imps between March 1969 and September 1971.

When David Herd became manager Hubbard returned to play at centre forward and his performances in 1970/71 earned him the supporters' "Player of the Year" award and he finished as top scorer with 18 goals.

The following season the Imps mounted a strong promotion challenge playing some exciting, attacking football and by mid-December Hubbard had scored 19 goals in League and cup including a hat-trick in a 4-1 League Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.

His form attracted the attention of bigger clubs and by Christmas he had moved on to Norwich City.

Norwich were at the top of the Second Division and eventually went on to win promotion although Hubbard missed out on much of the run in to the end of the season after suffering an injury.

He made First Division appearances against Manchester City and Leeds United the following season but then moved on to Grimsby Town in October 1972.

He was soon scoring regularly at Grimsby under the managership of Lawrie McMenemy and reached double figures in three consecutive seasons for the Mariners.

He nearly returned to Sincil Bank during the Imps' 1975/76 Fourth Division championship winning season but a proposed exchange for Dave Smith fell through.

However the following summer he became a Lincoln player again and stayed at Sincil Bank for another three seasons before joining Boston United and eventually finished his senior career as player/manager of the Midlands League club Skegness Town.

On leaving full-time football Hubbard had 10 years selling insurance and later ran an estate agency before taking over a newsagents shop in Washingborough which he continues to run today.

Profile adapted from an original article that appeared in the official Lincoln City FC match day programme, season 1998/99.