Greg Lincoln

Greg Lincoln (born 23 March 1980) is an English professional football coach and a former professional footballer. He represented England at Under-20 level. He was in the Arsenal First Team squad under Arsene Wenger. Involved in the squad beating Panathinaikos away 3-1 in the Champions League, with a young Nicolas Anelka on the score sheet. Greg Lincoln spent several years in the Arsenal Youth team under the stewardship of coaches Don Howe, Pat Rice and George Armstrong. He returned to Arsenal in a coaching capacity after an invite from Liam Brady, Greg's former Head of Youth Development and an Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Ireland legend. He first joined the Arsenal under 14's at Hale End, where he helped to bring through the likes of Bakayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Chris Willock, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah. Lincoln's contributions led to a promotion by Per Mertesacker, enabling him to develop this same group of players 4 years later in the Arsenal under 18 squad at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Greg would work with this group until they were integrated into the first team by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Greg Lincoln was then approached by the England Youth set up, where he would oversee the progress of young England U16s potential, such as Ethan Nwaneri, Chris Rigg and Mikey Moore. He was recently at St. George's Park as the Head Coach of England U16s. He led the Under 16 squad onto win the prestigious Montaigu Mondial tournament in what was the 50th year anniversary of the competition in 2025.

Career

Lincoln was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. He began his career as a trainee with Arsenal in 1996 under the tutelage of Don Howe and Pat Rice. Earning a Premier Youth League winners' medal in 1998 and signing a professional contract the same year. The youth team consisted of some notable players such as Ashley Cole, Jermaine Pennant, Julian Gray, Paolo Vernazza and Steve Sidwell. Later he made the bench for League Cup and UEFA Champions League games, after a serious ankle injury that had put him out of action for 2 years, he was released by Arsenal in 2001 after 11 years with the Club. Interestingly, Billy Wingrove, the YouTube F2 Freestyler, has stated that watching the skills of his older cousin Greg Lincoln, as an Arsenal youth midfielder, was one of his first influences in pursuing his career as a freestyler. Greg was also selected for England in the Youth World Cup in Nigeria, alongside a young Ashley Cole, Matthew Etherington and Peter Crouch.

On 14 September 2001 he joined Torquay United on non-contract terms along with his former Arsenal colleague Lee Canoville. He left Plainmoor soon after joining, and joined Swedish side Hammarby IF on trial after a recommendation from both Freddie Ljungberg and Liam Brady who knew him from his Highbury days. Serendipitously, Greg Lincoln later went onto coach alongside Freddie Ljungberg at Arsenal Youth Level. Then in June 2002, Lincoln joined Northampton Town, making his league debut on 29 October 2002 as a second-half substitute for Marco Gabbiadini in Northampton's 4–0 defeat away to Oldham Athletic. Lincoln remained with Northampton until May 2004 when he was released. He scored once during his spell at Northampton, his goal coming in a 1–1 draw with Boston United in December 2003. Greg also started in the FA cup tie versus a Manchester United side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Diego Forlan.

In August 2004 signed for Redbridge and joined Chelmsford City in June 2005, but in December 2005 moved to Cambridge City.
In May 2007, Lincoln joined Conference South side Thurrock, where he captained the side, moving to Aveley in December 2009. Before calling time on his career to focus on obtaining his UEFA B, UEFA A and UEFA Pro Licence coaching badges.

Shortly after obtaining his coaching badges he was approached to join Hale End after an invite from Liam Brady. Liam had been Greg's former Head of Football Youth at Arsenal. He first joined the Arsenal under 14's where he developed the likes of Bakayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Chris Willock, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah. Lincoln was then promoted by Per Mertesacker, enabling him to continue to develop this same group of players in the Arsenal under 18 squad. Greg would work with this talented group until they were given their first team opportunities by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. All have gone onto have good careers at Arsenal or within the Premier League. With one player, Folarin Balogun, performing for AS Monaco on the continent.

Then on 16 August 2022, Lincoln was appointed as Head Coach of the England U16s. The same year he was part of Ian Foster's backroom staff as England U19s were triumphant in the 2022 edition of the U19 European Championships, beating Israel (3–1 AET) at the Anton Malatinský Stadium. The victorious team including the likes of Liam Delap, Jarell Quansah, Aaron Ramsey & Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. On 18 August 2023, he moved up to take charge of the England U17s. On 23 August 2024, Lincoln moved back across to take charge of the England U16s Leading the Three Lions Under 16 squad onto win the prestigious Montaigu Mondial tournament in what was the 50th year anniversary of the competition in 2025.

On 19 June 2025, it was confirmed that Lincoln was to leave his role at The FA to allow him to 'explore new coaching and leadership opportunities within the game'.

Honours

Arsenal
* FA Premier Youth League: 1998

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lincoln, Greg
Living people
1980 births
People from Cheshunt
English men's footballers
Men's association football midfielders
Arsenal F.C. players
Torquay United F.C. players
Stevenage F.C. players
Margate F.C. players
Northampton Town F.C. players
Redbridge F.C. players
Chelmsford City F.C. players
Cambridge City F.C. players
Thurrock F.C. players
Aveley F.C. players
English football managers
National League (English football) managers
English Football League players
England national football team non-playing staff
21st-century English sportsmen