Nates steps away from active role at Lincoln City

Clive Nates first joined the Lincoln City board in February 2016 [Getty Images] Former Lincoln City chairman Clive Nates has stepped away from being actively involved in the club after a period of ill health. The 68-year-old South African has been a hugely influential figure at the Imps for more than a decade and, despite leaving his role as co-vice chairman, he will maintain a stake in Lincoln City - as he holds a little over 11% of the shares in the club's parent company. As a former chairman - who held the role between 2018 and early 2026, when American Ron Fowler took greater control of the club - Nates helped fund the Imps' rise from non-league to the Championship - a level the club has not played at for 65 years. Nates said he has "thankfully largely recovered" from the unspecified illness, with the period of poor health leaving him "significant time for reflection". "It has been an extraordinary 10 years with Lincoln City. I have lived my dream of being involved with an English football club," he told the club website. "Life feels very short when you reach 68 and there are some other exciting ventures I still wish to pursue that I believe will provide me with the same motivation the Imps have done for so long." Lincoln's majority shareholder Fowler praised Nates for his "truly outstanding" contribution to the club, which owes him "a huge debt of gratitude". Little doubting Nates' contribution Analysis: BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Michael Hortin Many people have played a part in Lincoln City's rise from the National League to the Championship over the past 10 years, from players to the Cowley brothers to Michael Skubala and many more. But there can be little doubt that the biggest contribution has been that of Clive Nates. The South African businessman has been a guiding hand throughout, both as vice chairman and chairman of the club. He has also put in a substantial amount of money over that time as the Imps have enjoyed unprecedented success. Clearly, a period of ill health has prompted Clive to think about his priorities going forward. I can not think of a Lincoln fan who will not wish him well doing that and they will also be looking forward to seeing him at Sincil Bank for games in the future. All the latest Lincoln City news