I got a couple of messages yesterday showing confirmation from Companies House that Clive Nates was no longer a person of significant control of Lincoln City Holdings.
The inference was, certainly from one or two that sent it, that Clive was on his way. It’s been rumoured for ages, as with all doom and gloom, and whenever we lose a game it’s the sort of rubbish people tend to peddle. I’ve heard it all – Liam Scully is leaving for the FA, Michael Skubala is going back to Leeds etc etc. People love a bit of misery and, for some reason, there is a section of our fanbase desperate for us to fail.
It is true that Clive is no longer a person of significant control, but the club has published an article clarifying the situation, which is worth mentioning.
“After further planned investment into Lincoln City Holdings Ltd, natural dilution has occurred, which means Clive Nates now holds less than 25% of the shares issued,” the club wrote on their official site.
“He has therefore been removed as a person of control at Companies House. This is procedural only.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Clive Nates remains chairman of Lincoln City Holdings and Lincoln City FC, and the current ownership model and decision-making structure remains the same.”
What is good here is that the club realised that a piece of non-news was being turned into fake news by internet chatter and rumours (to clarify, those who messaged me were not saying anything was happening, just asking if I’d seen it). It’s a positive that the comms responded quickly to kill a non-story and allow us to focus on the task in hand of relaxing this weekend and enjoying the international break!
It’s also good that Clive is staying around. Firstly, I couldn’t even imagine trying to write something paying tribute to everything he has done for the club, and secondly, because he’s a superb chairman under whom we have flourished.