The EFL have issued clearance for the change of control process, which will see Liquid Investments Inc. increase their shareholding in the Imps and Ron Fowler become chairman.
Ron has spent the past few days in Lincoln meeting with senior figures at the club and will officially step into the position on Wednesday, 4th February. At the same time, Clive Nates will move into the role of co-vice chairman, exactly 10 years on from his original appointment to the board.
While the excitement at Ron’s arrival is wholly justified, there is also a chance to reflect on Clive’s tenure as chair, something he has done in an open letter to supporters. Clive reflects on his decade at the helm and the timing of the transition. Speaking through the club’s official channels, he said:
“I am delighted to hand over the chairmanship of this special club to Ron, who has a proven track record of business acumen and delivering sporting success, which he will now bring to bear for the Imps.
“This change helps secure the long-term future of the club for many years to come.”
He also confirmed that, while stepping aside as chairman, his involvement will continue.
“It has been an honour to serve as chairman, and I will remain involved as co-vice chairman alongside Jay Wright. I look forward to working with Ron and the rest of the board as we enter an exciting new period on and off the pitch.
“In Ron, we have someone who truly knows what we are all about. Since joining the investment group in April 2024, Ron has played his part in driving us forward and, like many of us before him, has fallen in love with the club, its fans and what we stand for.”
Ron was keen to pay tribute to Clive’s role. Clive joined the club in 2015, stepping up to chair a couple of years later, and throughout his involvement, the club has risen steadily, from National League to the current lofty position of second in League One.
“You can’t overstate his role. Clive was the person involved when the team went from the National League up into League Two and then up into League One, and has since competed very effectively at that level,” said Ron.
“It takes a very strong individual to do that. Clive’s not going anywhere, he’s going to be very involved and will continue to help drive the team as we go forward.”
Speaking to Imps+ as part of a wide-ranging interview to mark the change, Ron set out his philosophy for the role and his view of how the club should be run.
“Lincoln City is really owned by the people of Lincoln, and if we can be a steward of that trust that’s what it’s all about. I feel a strong responsibility to run the team in an appropriate manner, but actually I believe our role is to provide corporate governance and guidance to the management team.”
He was also clear in his praise for those already in place.
“And the good news for Lincoln City is we have a management team here that is outstanding, and I think that’s going to make it easy. We’re responsible for making sure that team can compete as well as it should, and we have the people in place in management that will ensure that happens.”
With EFL approval secured and a clear handover plan in place, the club now moves into its next chapter with stability, continuity and ambition firmly aligned.
The interview with Ron can be found on Imps+, while content from our interview with him will be available as a podcast and video around midday. There’s also a BBC Radio Lincolnshire interview, which is different from ours, that will be worth a listen.
Plenty to get stuck into on the Monday morning.