CLIVE NATES has joined Lincoln City's board as a new director after investing a six-figure sum into the National League club.
Nates, who pumped the money into the Sincil Bank outfit through Sportvest Capital LLP, is a global equity investor and retired hedge fund manager based in Sandton, South Africa.
He has followed the Imps' fortunes since the early 2000s and has attended a number of games over the past 12 months while negotiations were taking place.
Chairman Bob Dorrian is delighted to welcome Nates on board and says the plan is to “return to the Football League as quickly as possible”.
“On behalf of myself and the board, we are extremely happy to welcome Clive Nates to Lincoln City Football Club, both as an investor in the club as well as a director in LCFC and Lincoln City Holdings, through his company Sportvest Capital LLP,” said Dorrian.
“It is a year since I started dialogue with Clive and his potential involvement in the club. Happily, negotiations progressed well, culminating in today's announcement.
“Clive, like ourselves, is looking forward to helping us to achieve our goal of returning to the Football League as quickly as possible.
“In the meantime we shall look forward to seeing Clive at Sincil Bank in March, where perhaps some of you will have the opportunity to meet him. Welcome aboard Clive.”
Nates added: “I am delighted that agreement has been reached. It has taken some time but the club has had a number of issues to resolve and these have now been positively concluded.
“The funds introduced are relatively small in the context of teams at the top of the National League but they do provide stability for the club and a fighting chance of achieving the success the fans desire.
“The club still needs the ongoing support of fans and all other stakeholders, especially during difficult times, to ensure that Lincoln maintains a viable professional football club in the city.
“I am grateful for the support of Bob and the board of directors, of the Supporters' Trust and the vast majority of fans and hope that more exciting times lie ahead. I especially want to thank Kevin Cooke for all the hard work that has been necessary to conclude the deal.”
