News

Press Release: Act, Not Bill

Football was in crisis as recently as the beginning of this decade. Bury FC had just folded. Another regular opponent of Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, followed. At the opposite end of the spectrum, wealthy clubs wanted to form a breakaway European Super League. COVID lockdown switched off the game’s income streams overnight.

The Conservative government launched a Fan Led Review in 2021. The Football Governance Bill was then introduced into Parliament, seeking to turn the Review’s recommendations into law. The Bill has now received Royal Assent: the Football Governance Act 2025 is now the law of the land – English football has an Independent Regulator.

It’s perfectly fair to say that significant change will not happen immediately and that powerful vested interests will still cause problems. But simply having the Act in existence is truly a momentous event for the future of football. We are now at the start of a new journey and the direction of travel is clear. Clubs will eventually have to operate in a financially sustainable way. Rogue owners should play no part. There should always be meaningful engagement with fans.

We’re proud that the key investors at Lincoln see themselves as custodians of the club for the time being for the fans, both now and in future generations. Our club’s investors have been vocal advocates for football to operate in a financially sustainable way. And the manner in which they have embraced the need to engage with fans is first rate. They have encouraged our Trust to be a critical friend. Everyone who is a season ticket holder or who joins one of the other club membership schemes is automatically a Trust member. There are democratic elections for two representatives of the Trust on the club’s Board of Directors. The Trust has been given power to veto (if requested by fans in a democratic vote) any proposals for stadium relocations or changes of club name, colours and badge. There’s a Fan Advisory Board.

Our Trust has worked tirelessly to support the embedding of that culture in recent years. In doing so, we haven’t just collaborated with the club and with other fan groups associated with it. We’ve also sung the club’s praises to external parties, such as our friends at The Football Supporters’ Association, various other clubs’ supporters’ trusts and our contacts in the House of Lords and in the House of Commons.

Red Imps Community Trust welcomes the Football Governance Act and looks forward to the part that the Regulator will play in safeguarding the future of football.

The game is now in a much better place because of the new legislation.

Cathedral Heritage Exhibition Coming

Lincoln City FC Heritage Exhibition

Football Governance Act Incoming

The Football Governance Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on 8^th July. It looks set to gain Royal Assent, and thus become law, before parliament closes for the summer recess on 22^nd July.

Supporter engagement is already embedded in the culture at Lincoln City FC, but the new law will strengthen it at all other clubs in the top five tiers of domestic football. There will also be increased club heritage and financial protections, with more blocks on unsuitable owners. On top of that, it will prevent any domestic club from entering a breakaway European Super League.

Red Imps Community Trust is an active member of the Football Supporters’ Association, which has worked tirelessly on the Bill. Please click here to read the FSA’s latest press release, which contains lots more information.

Trust Sponsors United City Friendly

The Red Imps Community Trust and Lincoln United officials seen pre-match at Ashby Avenue, with the Trust the game’s matchball sponsor and a great occasion for all there with the result finishing 2-2.

Football Governance Bill – FSA Update

It remains imperative that the Football Governance Bill should become law without delay: the urgent need for an Independent Regulator of English Football has been highlighted yet again by recent events at Morecambe FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC and Hull City FC.

Red Imps Community Trust is an active member of the Football Supporters’ Association, which has been working on the Bill for a long time. A progress report that it issued on 02/07/25 can be read here.

Fan of the Season Trophy now Ready!

The Trust Fan of the Season Trophy winner to be announced soon. It could be you!

Matchday Magazine

The Trust have been facilitating meetings with supporters who miss having a match programme. They’d like to know if there’s individuals or groups out there who’d like to lead on the production of a fan-led alternative featuring articles, interviews, competitions, and more. It can be match-by-match, monthly, or on a four-a-season basis…your call.

If you’d like to edit, organise, or just contribute to such a project please get in touch via our contact button.

Trust Accounts Published

The Trust has published its accounts for the year to 31/12/24, which were approved at its Board Meeting on 11/06/25 and which will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on 26/06/25. Please click here to read the financial statements for that year, including the Independent Examiner’s Report on them.

Lose weight, get fitter, a more active life?

The Trust’s permanent charity partner, Lincoln City Foundation, is seeking expressions of interest in its new “Fit Imps” programme. Please click here for more information.