Imps Lead The Way With Golden Share

Lincon City have become only the third club in England to introduce a golden share – giving supporters an opportunity to have their say on significant decisions.

Shareholders of the club voted to create the share, to be called “the fans share” at the AGM held at the LNER Stadium in February.

This will give the Red Imps Community Trust (RICT) ownership of a share on behalf of fans which allows them to decide on key matters such as a stadium move, the club’s name, badge, team colours or name of the Stacey West Stand.

Proposed changes to any of these would be put to a vote, overseen by the RICT, before they could be implemented.

City are only the third club in the English league system to have given supporters a golden share, following Brentford and Stevenage.

Imps chief executive Liam Scully said: “We are proud to be among a small group of clubs who have done this, and we hope supporters share that feeling.

“Our aim, and it sits at the heart of all our decision making, is to deliver a club to be proud of on and off the pitch.”

David Lowes, City’s dedicated board member for fan engagement, added: “The creation of a golden share is something the board believes is important in representing the interest of fans of the club.

“It is a single share in Lincoln City Football Club which has special powers related to heritage items which are at the centre of the club’s identity.”

City adopting the fans share has further strengthened the club’s reputation for pioneering in the field of supporter engagement.

Kevin Rye, owner of Think Fan Engagement, added: “Lincoln City really stand out because they have built a package of progressive protections and guarantees for fans.

“They have gone well beyond the minimum standard in building a culture where they recognise the fan as a fundamental part of the lifeblood of the club.”

Thank you to Chris Vaughan and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!