Ashley Grimes was the quintessential example of a loanee who showed in out of the blue and took off. He was sensational when he was signed from Millwall in January 2011; in just 30 games, he scored 17 goals at a time when we were in dire need of a hero. During a hot streak that offered us hope of survival, he appeared to find the net nearly every week, had clinical finishing, and had clever movement.
He possessed all the qualities you would look for in a striker at this level: quick thinking, confidence, speed, and the capacity to score a variety of goals. Grimes delivered them all with confidence, whether they were long-range attempts, close-range scrambles, or composedly executed penalties.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts, we were unable to prevent relegation. However, it’s hardly hyperbole to claim that we would have been destroyed much sooner if it weren’t for Grimes. Despite the fervent desire of his supporters to retain him, he left for Rochdale that summer. Nevertheless, he made a memorable contribution that season—a ray of hope amid a dismal campaign.
1. Davide Somma – 14 apps, 9 goals
Somma was pure class. Strong, intelligent, and with a deadly left foot, he had the knack of making scoring look effortless. His movement was outstanding, his composure ice-cold, and every time he got the ball in the final third, you felt something might happen. It wasn’t just the goals either—he lifted the team around him, giving us belief and purpose in the final months of the season.
There was a sense of heartbreak when he returned to Leeds and promptly started scoring at Championship level. But his short spell with City gave us a glimpse of genuine quality—a striker who, in truth, was operating a level or two below where he belonged.
For that unforgettable spell, he’s the best Lincoln loan signing of the noughties. No question.
