Jabara’s share has grown to 32.23%, the largest individual piece of Lincoln City’s pie. Chairman Clive Nates owns a little more than 25%, while the Fowlers’ stake tops 12.6%.

The club operates pragmatically. This isn’t a gaggle of bored, money-soaked people throwing cash at a status-fueling afterthought.

In fact, Lincoln City’s operation offers a glimpse into the measured business practices of the Padres.

“We don’t have a documentary or anything of that nature (like Wrexham),” Jabara said. “We’re more good old-fashioned football. We don’t have the spending capability of a lot of clubs. The Padres talk about ‘costs per win’ as they analyze things. We talk about costs per point with Lincoln City.

“We set our budget and work within our financial means. We try to punch above our weight.”

Lincoln City was 12th in spending among the 24 clubs last season — and finished seventh. They were a win or two away from finishing as high as third. The club opens its 2024-25 season Aug. 10 at Burton Albion F.C.

One of the unique elements of buying into the club was learning Lincoln City’s unique nickname, the Imps. It’s a reference to a devilish, horn-adorned character that, according to mythology, was defeated by good and turned to stone inside the city’s beloved cathedral.

Fowler did not need a crash course.

“I was using the term for probably 60 years,” he said. “I consider it someone who has devilish and cute characteristics. When I saw the Imp on the logo I said, ‘OK, this works.’ That was part of the charm.”

Though Fowler downplays his involvement, Jabara counterpunches.

...continued

©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.