21st May 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I have recently caught up with Lincoln City Chairman Clive Nates where we discussed a variety of topics. Topics range from how tough it has been for Lincoln during the pandemic, potential promotion to the Championship and his personal reaction to the news earlier in the year about the European Super League as Chairman of a League One club, and fan of Everton who were not amongst those part of the Super League.
Check out the Q&A below!
- What do you enjoy most about your role at Lincoln City?
“I have been football crazy from an early age and just to be involved in a game I love is enough. However, the most exciting part of the role is being involved in discussions involving our Director of Football and Manager over the construction of the squad and the new signings that are being targeted.”
- Just how tough has the pandemic been for clubs like Lincoln?
“It’s been very tough with significantly reduced income. It was especially difficult to make plans after the previous season was curtailed and there was no certainty when the new season would start. The majority of staff were put on furlough and unfortunately a few even lost their jobs. The uncertainty meant we were unable to offer new contracts to players who were out of contract at the end of last season and we reduced the playing budget for this season by around 40%.”
- How hopeful are you that fans will return next season, and how much of a lift would this be for you and the football club as a whole?
“We were delighted to welcome more than 3k of our fans back for the first leg of the play-off semi-final and the atmosphere in the ground was fantastic. We are hopeful that full capacities will be possible from the start of next season although Government has not provided any guarantees as yet. From a financial point of view it would provide a significant boost.”
- How much would it mean to you and the club if promotion to the Championship is achieved?
“It would be incredible for the club to achieve a third promotion in 5 years and reach the second tier for the first time in 60 years.”
- Where would you like to see the club progress to over the next five years?
“There are so many uncertainties in football that we don’t believe in setting targets that far into the future. The immediate target, whether this year or beyond, is to get promotion to the Championship but it’s an ongoing objective to continue to improve all aspects of the club within the financial constraints we have to operate.”
- What were your feelings towards to Super League as the Chairman of a League One club and also as a fan of a club not involved in the plans, Everton?
“Very angry about those plans, not only as Chairman of Lincoln City and an Everton fan but as someone that has loved following English football for more than 50 years.”
- Finally, what are your thoughts on Lincoln’s season as a whole?
“It’s been a fantastic season under Michael Appleton whatever happens in the play-off especially as we had a lower half budget and the youngest squad of all 92 clubs in the PL and EFL.”
Check out the Q&A below!
- What do you enjoy most about your role at Lincoln City?
“I have been football crazy from an early age and just to be involved in a game I love is enough. However, the most exciting part of the role is being involved in discussions involving our Director of Football and Manager over the construction of the squad and the new signings that are being targeted.”
- Just how tough has the pandemic been for clubs like Lincoln?
“It’s been very tough with significantly reduced income. It was especially difficult to make plans after the previous season was curtailed and there was no certainty when the new season would start. The majority of staff were put on furlough and unfortunately a few even lost their jobs. The uncertainty meant we were unable to offer new contracts to players who were out of contract at the end of last season and we reduced the playing budget for this season by around 40%.”
- How hopeful are you that fans will return next season, and how much of a lift would this be for you and the football club as a whole?
“We were delighted to welcome more than 3k of our fans back for the first leg of the play-off semi-final and the atmosphere in the ground was fantastic. We are hopeful that full capacities will be possible from the start of next season although Government has not provided any guarantees as yet. From a financial point of view it would provide a significant boost.”
- How much would it mean to you and the club if promotion to the Championship is achieved?
“It would be incredible for the club to achieve a third promotion in 5 years and reach the second tier for the first time in 60 years.”
- Where would you like to see the club progress to over the next five years?
“There are so many uncertainties in football that we don’t believe in setting targets that far into the future. The immediate target, whether this year or beyond, is to get promotion to the Championship but it’s an ongoing objective to continue to improve all aspects of the club within the financial constraints we have to operate.”
- What were your feelings towards to Super League as the Chairman of a League One club and also as a fan of a club not involved in the plans, Everton?
“Very angry about those plans, not only as Chairman of Lincoln City and an Everton fan but as someone that has loved following English football for more than 50 years.”
- Finally, what are your thoughts on Lincoln’s season as a whole?
“It’s been a fantastic season under Michael Appleton whatever happens in the play-off especially as we had a lower half budget and the youngest squad of all 92 clubs in the PL and EFL.”