Andrew Abbott's Blog

Wednesday 10 June 2020

So now we know, as if we didn’t already.




Yesterday came the confirmation that the League One season has ended. For fans of Lincoln City, mixed feelings I’d imagine.

Like you, in all probability, I’d have preferred to see a full season of football. I’d have liked to have proposed a toast to my wife at her birthday party, which was a big one, and holidayed in Ibiza with my family, which was the plan, indeed I wouldn’t mind seeing them face to face, going to the supermarket without queuing up to get in and any number of other everyday occurrences we took for granted but now realise they aren’t necessarily going to be there for us.

Like most people alive now I haven’t had to live through a war, face conscription or, historically any number of horrors. I haven’t heard too many people moaning about the situation. It’s happened, were Brits, we get on with it.

As to when we see live football again your guess is as good as mine. Despite those words of Bill Shankly, football is not a matter of life and death and certainly not more important. We must wait our turn and hope we have a club to support when it’s all over.

My confidence that we will be so fortunate was certainly boosted when I read the statement from Clive Nates on line and shortly thereafter received the personalised e mail repeating the information. Personalised e mail, how lucky we are. Years ago I suspect Lincoln City thought they were extending their largesse by even letting us in the stadium, such as it was. Supporters were tolerated at best. Now it’s impossible not to feel part of the family. I realise that e mail was easy enough to set up. At the press of a button all season ticket holders will have received a personalised message. The fact that the club is able to do so and wants to do it is the thing that sets us apart from many.

If you’re a season ticket holder you will shortly be asked what you want to do. The options are, have a refund for the remainder of the games that were unplayed, take a refund in the form of shares, or take shares and donate them to the Red Imps Community Trust.

I said some time ago, taking shares would be my preferred option, I take no credit for that, I’d be surprised if a well run company didn’t offer them. Clive Nates did say, if that refund is needed to put food on the table the club would not want you to turn down the cash. I suspect not many will though. Being a shareholder, an owner of the club in a very small way, is great fun. AGM’s may not be your idea of entertainment, it’s basically voting in for another year the policies the club needs to operate. Shareholding is a great way to be involved. I got some free shares donkeys years ago for a company. I increased my shareholding, year on year by re investing the dividends in more shares and when I retired I decided to take the dividends in cash. It is , as they say, a nice little earner.

You won’t get that from owning a stake in Lincoln City. You won’t make anything at all but as you take your seat when we eventually get back to watching football you can say I own a little bit of this company. You’ll feel even more at home.