Nominations for the Society Board
Please note that as there are only six candidates and there are only six vacancies there will be no requirement for a ballot.
Kevin Clayton
First co opted onto the Trust Board in 2007, in April 2008 I took over as Chairman of The Club’s the Hub. It was a privilege to represent the supporters in this position.
When funding for this post ran out, we were successful in gaining additional funding for a Community Development Worker to work in the locality around the football club and are hoping to extend the project for a further two years. I continue to work closely with Gemma, developmentPlus and the City Council.
I stood for election onto the Trust board in 2009 and have been involved with the Safety Advisory Group and the Sincil residents committee as well as serving a term as Vice Chairman of the Trust.
For almost 20 years I was the Deputy Head of a large comprehensive school near Peterborough and have a season ticket in the Echo stand.
I fully support the Supporters’ Trust concept and feel that Lincoln’s Trust has played a vital part in both raising funds for the club and as “critical friend” at times. If elected I will work to ensure that we remain a community based club with a strong link right through to the boardroom.
Jonathan Battersby
I am a 4th generation supporter, having watched City since 1973. Whilst my working life has sometimes taken precedence over the Imps, I have helped when I can, be that bucket collecting for Peter Grotier, or being a Gold Member for 5 years in the noughties. I also wrote the “Fans Eye” column in the match day programme for a number of years.
It is clear that there is a lot of work to be done by both Trust and Club to regain the average fans’ respect and some degree of transparency would be a start. From the outside in, these days of instant social media need to be embraced and most recently, far too often the “stable door” has been shut, long after the horse has bolted so to speak.
From a personal point of view, I now have the time, drive, enthusiasm and business experience to help move the Trust back to what it was originally set up to do- to give an insight into the running of a club and to give the fans a real voice.
Wherever you go, Lincoln is famous for 2 things, its Cathedral and Football Club….lets keep it that way.
Andrew Townsend
I have been a serving member on the Board of the Supporters’ Trust since the very first days that the Trust was formed. During that time I have taken on the role of Supporters’ Liaison Officer and for the last 7 years have co-ordinated the 3C’s. During those years it has been a pleasure to see and go through the highs of supporting Lincoln City and the trips to Cardiff, but with it comes many disappointments, which ultimately saw us relegated from the Football League.
While we all have our own opinions as to who is to blame for our demise from the Football League, now is the time for everyone to rally together and steady the ship, to fight our way back to league football.
Listening to everyone with Lincoln City at heart, there is a general feeling the Trust needs to change the way it operates. While I feel it doesn’t need massive changes, there is definitely room for improvement and if re-elected to the Trust Board I hope I can represent the members’ views and instigate these improvements. Hopefully we can all work together to move the Trust and the Football club back to where we belong in the Football League.
Ty Corcoran
Many years ago my wife and I were on the Trust committee. The current set up seems to bear absolutely no relation to the open and active organisation of those days. Trust minutes must be published, the cloak of secrecy should go. Yes there has to be sensitivity to privacy or commercial interests. In those cases, as much as possible should be published retrospectively.
Something that has not changed. There was no real internet presence when we were members, there is little now. Social media rules, we’ve got to exploit it. No need if the only information available is titbits “leaked” by one side or another in an argument, or when the Chairman is forced into the open to try and paper over a PR disaster. Openness would remove both the abuse of privilege and an unedifying spectacle.
The Trust should be for the fans to help the club. It should be passing the fans’ views to the club. It should be raising money for the club, it should be the fans’ first call to express their view about the club, it should be possible for the fans to see that the Trust is working for them.
Fran Martin
My name is Fran Martin and I would like to put myself forward for election to the Lincoln City Supporters’ Trust Board.
I have been supporting Lincoln City FC since I was 8 years old, I am now 55 years old and feel that Lincoln City FC is in my blood! For over 11 years, I had the honour to work for Lincoln City FC in a full time capacity as Football Secretary until I was made redundant in December 2011.
In my role at the Club I worked tirelessly through good times and bad, and feel that I still have a lot to offer the Football Club, particularly the Trust and that the knowledge I gained whilst working for Lincoln City FC would be beneficial to the Trust Board.
I think that the Supporters’ Trust is a crucial and integral part of Lincoln City FC and I would endeavour to promote the Supporters’ Trust to any fans who are currently not members to ensure that their views can be heard.
I think it is important that through the Trust, Lincoln City continues to live up to its role as a community club.
Marlene Beaumont
Supported the Imps for over 40 years. I attend most games home and away, travelling and assisting with the Travel Section. I have ‘ordinary’ membership of the Trust and added to that by becoming a ‘Silver’ member. I support as many of the Trust and Club initiatives as I can.
Being a passionate Imps fan I understand that even though we are currently non-league there is still the need to make sure the Club continues to function as a well run professional football club and the importance if the Trust’s position within the Club.
I have time to commit fully to assisting both the Trust and the Club. My strengths are in accounts, IT and marketing. I believe I can bring an experienced balanced view to the table.
Travelling on the Supporters’ buses and listening to fans at home matches has helped me appreciate how much this club means to so many and in spite of differing opinions how supportive the majority of fans are.
I believe in Lincoln City as a community club and all supporters’ views be taken into consideration.
It is vital the fans have a say in the running of the football club.
Nomination for the Society representative on the Board of Lincoln City Holdings Ltd
Andrew Townsend
While many people still hold certain views on the rights and wrongs of the holding company and the way the holding company was formed, it has ensured that we can look forward to watching Lincoln City Football Club in the future.
It wasn’t that many years ago when I was stood in the Trust Suite talking to supporters at that final match of the season against Rochdale and I was in tears as that match looked very likely at the time, to be the final match ever to be played at Sincil Bank. As a Lincoln City supporter that is something I never want to feel or want to go through again.
The Trust have transferred a large number of shares into the holding company and as a result it has the right to be represented on the holding company board. As such I would like to be in the position to represent the members’ views to the holding company as the Trust representative.
As a longstanding Trust Board member I fully understand the need to ensure the members’ views are heard, which if elected as the Trust representative I will ensure those views are put to the holding company.
