Emery, one of the legendary figures in City's history, was the Club's regular centre half for more than a decade amassing 424 League and Cup appearances. His record of 402 Football League games for the Imps was one that lasted for over 40 years before being broken by Grant Brown.

He died peacefully after a short illness in Lincoln County Hospital on Monday 5th December 2005. He leaves a wife, Barbara, three daughters, Elizabeth, Caroline and Sally and eight grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

As a mark of respect, Lincoln City's players will wear black armbands for their Coca-Cola League 2 game against Chester City on Saturday whilst a minute's silence will be held prior to kick-off.

Funeral service to be held at All Saints' Church, North Hykeham on Wednesday 14th December at 1pm, followed by committal at Lincoln Crematorium at 1.50pm. Family flowers only please. Donations for the Nomad Trust may be sent c/o Lincolnshire Co-operative Funeral Services, 12 Portland Street, Lincoln, LN5 7JX. Telephone 01522 534971.

Anthony John Emery was born in Lincoln on November 4th 1927. Brought up amongst a strong footballing family, Tony's father Bob played for City reserves and Boston Town in the 1920s while his uncle Fred played over 400 games for Doncaster Rovers before switching to manager at Belle Vue. He also managed Bradford Park Avenue and Carlisle United.

Tony once recalled watching the Imps at Sincil Bank in the 1930s and on leaving school he joined local junior club at Helena. When they folded towards the end of the War he switched to Lincoln League club East End Athletic and was spotted by City scout Eddie Dwane and invited to a trial.

He said himself that he had a "real stinker" but a couple of weeks later he was playing on the Cowpaddle against Ruston Bucyrus who had a number of ex-League players including Tom Bell, Harold Riley and Joe Clare. He impressed enough that afternoon and signed for Lincoln shortly afterwards.

Tony made his senior debut in an FA Cup tie against Yorkshire Amateurs but the presence of veteran Tom Johnson and a requirement to serve two years in the RAF restricted his first team opportunities in the early years of his career.

He eventually succeeded Johnson as City's regular centre-half in December 1948 and hardly missed a match in the 10 years that followed.

Strong and effective, both in the air and on the ground, he quickly became a target for bigger clubs and in March 1949 City's Board of Directors turned down an offer of £10,000 from Newcastle United.

Tony Emery in action for City in the 1950s

Tony went on to become a key player in the 1951/52 promotion team when he linked up with Doug Wright and Bobby Owen to form one of the most effective half-back lines in City's history. He continued to play an important role for the Imps for most of the 1950s as they retained their place in Division Two despite having few resources.

His only goal for Lincoln came at Chester in April 1951 when he was put into the forward line after suffering a badly cut head.

In the summer of 1955 Tony was honoured by the Football Association when he was selected for a tour of the Caribbean. The squad included the likes of Jimmy Hill, Bobby Robson, Stan Pearson and Jeff Hall and played in Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Curacao (Netherlands Antilles).

Tony once recalled that the squad "were treated like lords everywhere" and that one of his most memorable moments came when he met the touring Australian cricket team who were taking part in a Test Match at Sabina Park against the West Indies.

Tony Emery (right) pictured with Doug Graham

By the summer of 1959 Tony was badly affected by knee problems and he moved on to Mansfield Town where he played on for two more seasons before retiring from the game.

On leaving the full-time game he worked as a rep for Shipleys Builders Merchants before moving to another focal firm FW Davies for whom he eventually became Lincoln Branch Manager before his retirement.

Tony maintained a keen interest in the Imps' fortunes and, along with former team mate Andy Graver, was chosen to become an inaugural member of the Lincoln City Hall of Fame in May 1996. He was also guest of honour at Sincil Bank in November 2000 as Grant Brown overtook his long-standing record of 424 appearances in all competitions for the Club.

Tony Emery (right) with Andy Graver and Graham Taylor at his Hall of Fame inauguration in 1996

Adapted from an original article by Ian Nannestad that appeared in the official Lincoln City Match Day Programme, 12.12.2000