We sat down with the newly-elected Imps Chairman, Clive Nates to discuss his role at Lincoln City Football Club in our all-new feature.
Clive was confirmed as Chairman this evening, and gave a little bit of insight into his role, his aims and how location won't be an issue in driving the club forward.
How do you visualise the role as Chairman at Lincoln City FC?
CN: I don’t see the position of Chairman as being as critical as it might once have been here or might be at other clubs.
With an inclusive management style and a strong active board I will certainly be relying on the wealth of knowledge that Roger and Kevin have of the Club and community as well as the greater direct experience that they and Liam have in football.
Do you feel your home location will be an issue? (South Africa)
CN: I don’t see it being much of an issue to have this role despite my location. I am easily contactable through various mediums and where there are issues there are solutions.
For instance it would be less than ideal for me to chair meetings when I will be connecting remotely for many of them so Kevin will continue to chair the Exco meetings and Roger will now chair board meetings and that won’t change even when I am in town.
They and Liam will also be able to perform any duties that might normally fall under the role of Chairman where I am unable to do so.
What is your ethos for the Club?
CN: I believe it is important and desirable for the Club to remain close to the community and I believe we have succeeded in that goal over the past two years. Despite increasing investment from Sportvest the composition of the board remains overwhelmingly local and I would like this to continue.
Would you welcome further investment?
CN: There is need to raise additional funding if we want to capitalise on the opportunity that Danny and Nicky have offered us but all of the significant new investment leads we have are foreign. It would be great if somehow we could find some additional local investment to balance that potential new foreign investment.
Next up in our '60 seconds with' feature, will be newly-elected Vice-Chairman, Roger Bates.