Lincoln City Secure Core Trio With Contract Extensions Following Championship Promotion
Sporting director Jez George highlights squad retention strategy as Lincoln City solidifies its promotion-winning roster ahead of the EFL Championship campaign.
Lincoln City has moved to secure the long-term futures of three key first-team players, announcing contract extensions for Conor McGrandles, George Wickens, and Ryley Towler. The moves follow the club’s successful campaign to win the League One title and secure promotion to the EFL Championship, signalling a clear intent to retain the core personnel responsible for that achievement.
Midfielder Conor McGrandles, 30, has committed his future to the club until the summer of 2028. The deal includes a 12-month option clause, providing flexibility for the club moving forward. McGrandles has established himself as a pivotal figure at Sincil Bank, having made nearly 200 appearances across three separate spells with the Imps. His current tenure began with a loan return from Charlton Athletic in 2024, which subsequently led to a permanent transfer back to the club.
Goalkeeper George Wickens, 24, has signed a new agreement that will keep him at Lincoln until 2029. Like McGrandles, Wickens’ contract features a 12-month option. The former Fulham player has established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, providing stability in the final third as the team transitions to the higher competitive level of the Championship.
Defender Ryley Towler, 24, has secured the longest tenure of the three, signing a deal that runs until the end of the 2030 campaign. Towler joined Lincoln from Portsmouth last summer, arriving just one year into an existing four-year deal. The former Bristol City centre-back made 48 appearances during the promotion-winning season, playing a significant role in the team’s defensive structure.
Sporting director Jez George emphasised the importance of Towler’s contribution to the squad’s ethos. “Ryley epitomised everything about the squad last season, always putting the team first, always ready to play and contributed massively to our success,” George stated. The extensions represent a strategic consolidation of the squad, ensuring that the primary architects of the League One title win remain in place for the club’s return to the Championship.
