# Greg Lincoln

Greg Dean Lincoln (born 23 March 1980) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He represented England at Under-20 level. He was involved in the Arsenal squad that beat Panathinaikos away 3-1 in the Champions League, with a young Nicolas Anelka on the score sheet. He returned to Arsenal in a coaching capacity with the under 14's, where he helped to bring through the likes of Bakayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Chris Willock and Eddie Nketiah. He would develop this same group 4 years later in the under 18 squad. Greg would work with this group until they were given first team chances by Mikel Arteta. These achievements allowed Lincoln to be given the opportunity to coach the Three Lions at Youth Level. In this role he helped to continue the rapid progress of some great young potential, such as Ethan Nwaneri & Mikey Moore. He is currently head coach of England U16s. Most recently Greg Lincoln 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, earning a Premier Youth League winners' medal in 1998 and signing a professional contract the same year. Playing alongside Ashley Cole, Jermaine Pennant, Julian Gray, Paolo Vernazza and Steve Sidwell. Later he made the bench for League Cup and UEFA Champions League games, by the time he was released by Arsenal, at the end of the 2000–01 season, after a serious ankle injury that had put him out of action for 2 years, he had yet to make his first team debut. Interestingly, Billy Wingrove, the YouTube Freestyler, has stated that watching the silky skills of his older cousin Greg, as an Arsenal youth midfielder, was his main influence in trying his tricks and skills. Billy went onto become a successful Freestyler with the F2 Freestylers.
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 on 28 September joined Swedish side Hammarby IF on trial after a recommendation from both Freddie Ljungberg and Liam Brady who knew him from Highbury. Interestingly, 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.
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 start his coaching badges. He had a brief interim stint at Thurrock F.C aged only 30, taking over with them bottom of the league until a replacement was found.
Greg Lincoln returned to coaching when his previous Head of Youth Development, Liam Brady, had heard that Greg had completed his coaching badges. Liam Brady asked Greg to return to the club where he grew up, to instill his technical approach to the Under-14 Arsenal side including Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe. Greg Lincoln was later promoted as Assistant Manager to Ken Gillard for the under 18's Arsenal Youth team. As Greg was promoted up his original group of players including Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Folarin Balogun were under his development for a second time.
Then on 16 August 2022, Lincoln was appointed as head coach of the England U16s. 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.

## Honours

Arsenal
* FA Premier Youth League: 1998