Lincoln City secure significant investment from former chairman of Major League Baseball team

Lincoln City FC has secured investment from a man, and his son, who has achieved great success with a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in America. The club has announced that Ron Fowler and his son Andrew have joined the investment group at Lincoln City through their Liquid Investments, Inc. entity.

Ron is a long-term friend and associate of fellow American Harvey Jabara, who currently sits on the board of the Imps and whose family holds the largest stake in Lincoln City Holdings. Liquid Investments will initially take a 12.6 per cent stake in Lincoln City Holdings.

Ron led the ownership group and acted as executive chairman and control person for MLB side the San Diego Padres from 2012 to 2020, and was previously owner/managing general partner of the San Diego Sockers football team. He is the former chair of MLB's Labor Policy Committee and member of MLB's Executive Council. He continues to work with the franchise in an advisory capacity.

Get the latest Lincolnshire Live news with our email newsletters

As well as his success in sports, Ron is recognised as a leader in the beverage industry. He was also instrumental in delivering a new ballpark for San Diego and chaired the San Diego Super Bowl Task Force and the 2003 Super Bowl Host Committee which delivered the biggest fixture in American football.

Andrew Fowler is the vice president of investments and strategy at Liquid Investments, a privately held company based out of San Diego. He works alongside his father, Ron, to source and diligence new investment opportunities and help existing portfolio companies.

Ron said: "I have a lot of respect for Harvey and it was clear when I met Clive and Liam that these were people I could work with. I have experienced success in the sporting world before, both in baseball and football, and look forward to contributing to Lincoln City’s continued growth quietly in the background."

Harvey said: "Ron is a serial winner both in his business and sport interests, not to mention his incredible passion to give back to his community, leading significant philanthropic endeavours benefitting countless individuals and organisations over many decades. He has been very generous with his time and advice to me over many years, and his leadership of the San Diego Sockers and the Padres has been a model for my involvement in Lincoln City.

"At no time in my professional career has someone reminded me more of my father than Ron Fowler. With that, I have no higher praise for an individual. I felt it was important to really get to know this club and its fans, as well as the city, before asking for investment from colleagues.

"I believe we have truly progressed as a club under Clive’s leadership, developing our infrastructure and investing in permanent signings, and the opportunity to call upon Ron and Andrew for advice will help us continue to develop."

Lincoln City Holdings Ltd owns 90.28 per cent of the issued share capital of the club. HJ-LCFC Holdings LLC and chairman Clive Nates own 37 per cent and 28.8 per cent of Lincoln City Holdings Ltd respectively.

HJ-LCFC Holdings LLC is owned by Harvey, Missy, Jaxon and Jensen Jabara. Clive also holds 0.05 per cent of the club while supporters make up just under 10 per cent of the shares.