LINCOLN CITY boss Danny Cowley reckons new loan signing Billy Knott will be a fans’ favourite at Sincil Bank.
The 24-year-old midfielder has signed on loan until the end of the season from League One club Gillingham but won’t be registered as a Lincoln player until Saturday, February 11 to allow him to take part in the National League play-offs.
Knott started his career with West Ham, Chelsea and Sunderland, making one appearance in the Premier League for the Black Cats while enjoying loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Woking, Wycombe and Port Vale.
He permanently signed for Bradford City in 2014, playing 64 times in League One for the Bantams in two seasons, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
Knott moved to fellow League One side Gillingham in the summer but has now made the temporary switch to Lincoln after 24 appearances for the Gills.
Cowley says he has known Knott since he was 15 and hopes to bring the best out of a player who has vast Football League experience.
Boss Cowley told Lincolnshire Live: “Billy can be whatever he wants to be. He is a fantastically talented footballer, left footed, which gives us some balance in the squad.
“He can also play across the midfield and we are very lucky to have him. He and I go way back. The exciting thing is Bill hasn’t really reached the levels he is capable of.
“We have a good relationship with Billy. He actually came to us and did work experience as a 15-year-old boy at FitzWimark School so we know him well.
“So I suppose because of that relationship it probably allowed us to get Bill and we are really looking forward to working with him. I think we can be good for each other.
“The fans will love him. The fans at Bradford loved him, wherever he has gone they would tell you. He plays with his heart, he is a passionate boy and he’s a down to earth kid as well, so he has always got time for the supporters.”
Boss Cowley has also moved to replace Theo Robinson, who moved to Southend on Deadline Day, by signing striker Dayle Southwell on loan.
The ex-Grimsby youngster made his name with Boston United, scoring 54 times in two seasons for the National League North club.
Injuries have been a problem this season, however, and Southwell now heads to Lincoln on a month’s loan in a bid to get some game time.
