After four years as Gold Trust board representative, we spoke to Stephen Tointon about his move to becoming an individual on the Lincoln City Board of Directors.
We know you’ve been a fan now for over 50 years, so what are your earliest memories of being at Sincil Bank?
“I remember coming along to the game where there were 23,000 here against Derby County in 1967 and that day I remember being put over the wall at pitchside because there were that many here, so I was possibly one of those youngsters that was captured in the pictures that day. I’m pretty sure I was here before that but that’s the first game I remember.”
As you reference that game, could you say it was that game that sparked the long-term interest in The Imps?
“Yes, I suppose you could say that was the start of it all. I remember that being amongst my first memories, the only other thing I remember was the World Cup final of the year before.”
In 2015 you were brought onto the board as Gold member’s representative, how did that came about?
“Initially the club asked for a representative of the Gold members to come onto the board and the former Chairman, Bob Dorrian reached out to us, and I stuck my hand up. Since then no one has come forward regarding re-election so I continued in the role but I didn’t feel that it was the right thing to continue indefinitely. I needed to move on and let someone else have the honour to represent the Gold Trust members.”
So now, as an individual on the board do you envisage your role changing?
“I don’t think the role will change too much other than I’m not specifically representing the gold members any more.
I am relatively recently retired, so I’ve got a little more time on my hands and look forward to any projects that I could get involved in. As I used to represent the Gold members and if I’m asked to do that, I still could if necessary, but to be independent now maybe allows me to air my own thoughts a little more.
“We have some fantastic investors, some from further afield than others, so I think it’s important to have local representation amongst the board, as someone who knows the City maybe a little more than others. I think my involvement and how far that goes will really depend on what comes up, or what the project is so to speak.”
You have mentioned your desire to stay on the board after representing the Gold members for four years, what was it that stands out that made you feel you had to continue to be part of the club?
“Personally, I just wanted to continue to be involved and play a part. I feel I’ve got more to offer than just being a fan. I will always be a fan, but I want to be part of things and play a part, I don’t just want to sit back. Someone recently said to me when you retire you’ll go on the board full time. I wasn’t so sure. But when the opportunity came around, I knew that I wanted to play a part in something. Things have changed so much for the better over the past few years and it’s a special time to be involved with some terrific board members and investors. The calibre of some of the people we have on our board is astonishing for a club going into League One next season.”