Lincoln chairman Nates looking for new investment
Clive Nates joined Lincoln City's board in February 2016
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Lincoln City chairman Clive Nates has said the club are looking for further investment in order to fulfil their aim of promotion to the Championship.
The South African, who is coming up to 10 years with the club in February, was elected chairman in June 2018, and has helped oversee the Imps' rise from the National League to League One.
In a rare interview, he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "I think there's been massive progress. Obviously, it's a completely different club from when I joined 10 years ago.
"The stadium has improved. We didn't even have a training ground when I joined. It has meant investors, that are supporting the club, are now looking at a completely different scenario."
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"If you look at Bolton Wanderers, £18m in new equity going into the club in the last week, £10m into Stockport [County], and that's what we've got to compete with.
"We need to look at further, significant investment if we are to push for promotion to the Championship, which is still the aim."
Nates said he would be willing to step down from his role as chair, if it was for the benefit of the club.
"I think everything has to be on the table. I will still be happy to be involved with Lincoln City in any form - it doesn't have to be as chairman.
"If someone came in with far more significant investment and wanted that role, that's fine with me."
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In a wide-ranging interview, Nates also commented on the problems online abuse had caused the club over recent weeks.
"Throughout the ages, it's easy for ignorant people to find scapegoats, and some of our staff are very easy targets for people who do not understand just what goes into bringing in new players," he said.
"I don't understand how anybody could be unhappy with how we have performed over the last couple of seasons.
"Not every player comes off, but overall, I think we've done exceptionally well with what we've brought in.
"I ask some fans that think it's right to abuse some members of staff – either online, or as happened last Saturday, where [director of football] Jez [George] was abused to his face – come to me.
"I'm ultimately responsible with who we bring in and what we can bring in.
"Another young woman at the club has been horribly abused online – comments made about her for something that she's not responsible for. It's just the world that we live in."