Imps fans set up campaign to wipe the clubs debt

Fans of Lincoln City have set up their own campaign in an attempt to wipe the clubs £380,000 debt.

The Imps owe the money to the Co-operative Bank after they decided to cut all ties with the conference club due to them not fitting their customer profile any more.

The club have been turned down by multiple banks since being told to find a new company 12months ago, mainly due to the fact the club would need an overdraft because of their existing debts.

This has led to supporters setting up an online fund to try and help ease the debt on the club. The fund has been going for less than a week and has already received almost £2,000 in pledges thanks to the generosity of the general public. One supporter even donated £1,000 on their own.

It’s not just Lincoln fans who have contributed to the ‘Save The Imps’ campaign, even supporters of rival club Grimsby Town have donated money to prevent the Imps having to sell their assets to stay afloat.

Matt Harris who set up the fund said “The response from people on social media has been absolutely superb. We’re currently in the process of getting merchandise from other clubs to auction to raise more money. I have supported this club since I was five when my dad took me to a game and I set up the fund to do my bit for the club I love.”

The hope is that the fundraising will be enough to put the club on more stable footing and not have to resort to selling their best players which has not been ruled out by Chairman Bob Dorrian.

Another asset which is owned by the club is the nearby Playzone children’s facility but Dorrian is reluctant to let that go because a clause in the contract means the council get 50% of any sale to a non-football related company.

The club have also set up their own fundraising ideas selling 50P stakes in the club as they try to raise as much money as possible.

If you want to donate to the campaign visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-imps-1/

By Luke Vials @Luke_Vials