Lincoln City chairman Clive Nates has issued a strong condemnation of online abuse aimed at members of staff during the summer transfer window.
Nates, who has been at the club since 2015 and chairman since 2018, said he was “horrified” by the way individuals inside the club had been targeted, insisting the responsibility for recruitment decisions lies with him.
Abuse Overshadows Progress
In an interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire, the South African investor highlighted the toll such behaviour has taken in recent weeks. He revealed that sporting director Jez George had been confronted directly at a match, while another young female employee at the club had received “horrible” abuse online for matters beyond her control.
“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,” Nates explained. “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.”
The remarks come at a time when Lincoln have been active in the market, completing deals for Ivan Varfolomeyev and Francis Okoronkwo. However, Nates insisted criticism of individuals within the recruitment team was misplaced and counter-productive.
Chairman Takes Responsibility
Nates underlined that ultimate accountability for transfer policy rests with him. “I ask some fans that think it’s right to abuse some members of staff – either online, or as happened last Saturday, where Jez was abused to his face – come to me. I’m ultimately responsible with who we bring in and what we can bring in.”
While acknowledging that not every signing can be a success, Nates argued the club’s record over recent seasons speaks for itself. Since his arrival, Lincoln have climbed from the National League to become an established League One side, with infrastructure off the field vastly improved compared with a decade ago.
He also reiterated that further outside investment is necessary if the Imps are to compete with clubs such as Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County, both of whom have received sizeable cash injections this summer. But he was clear that no level of ambition justifies the personal abuse experienced by club staff.
Writer’s View
Nates’ comments cut to the heart of a wider issue in football: the increasingly toxic environment that staff and players face online. While supporters are entitled to opinions about recruitment and results, personal abuse directed at individuals – especially those without decision-making power – damages the fabric of a community club.
Lincoln’s progress in recent years has been built on togetherness, and if the atmosphere around the club turns hostile, that progress could easily stall.
