A Lincoln Cathedral relic is now sporting a football shirt, to celebrate Lincoln City’s league title win. 

The Lincoln Imp, a 14th century stone grotesque, has been dressed in the red and white stripes after the team secured promotion to the Championship, having never reached the second-tier of English football before.

As a symbol for the city, the club is nicknamed The Imps and features it on their badge. 

Fitting the shirt was Stuart Boyfield, the Cathedral’s longest serving member of staff and lifelong Lincoln City fan. He was joined by players Jack Moylan and Ivan Varfolomeev.

It is the first time the carving, which looks out over the Cathedral’s Angel Choir, has been decorated. 

Dean of Lincoln, Very Rev Dr Simon Jones, said: “Lincoln City Football Club and Lincoln Cathedral might seem like very different kinds of organisation, but at the heart of both are people and communities. The team’s performance has brought joy to so many people and there is a sense of pride across the city.

“As the home of the Lincoln Imp we’re delighted that the city, and the football club have taken him to their hearts, and dressing the Lincoln Imp in the colours of the club seems a fitting tribute to the success of the team and the wonderful passion of their supporters. We hope it brings a smile to people’s faces when they spot it”, he added. 

Lincoln City secured the League One title before the final game of the season on Saturday. The Imp will keep wearing the shirt until the team’s success is celebrated with an open top bus parade on 9 May.

According to city legend, the Imp was sent by Satan to cause trouble but was turned into stone by an angel.