March 7 – International football investors into the UK aren’t just looking for top tier Premier League deals. Two Canadian investors, Dr. Jason Neale and R. Stewart Thompson, have acquired 50% of League 1 Peterborough United for an undisclosed sum.
The Canadians, through their Kelgary Sports and Entertainment company, will sit alongside owner and chairman Darragh MacAnthony as directors with shared operational control.
“This is banner news for the football club, its staff and for the city of Peterborough,” said MacAnthony. “While I have not been actively looking for new partners or to sell the club, when Jason and Stewart were introduced to me several months ago, I was so impressed with their creative energy and brilliant business minds that it was clear the three of us in concert could really grow all aspects of this club.”
Peterborough United have a reputation for developing players and for often punching above their weight in league and cup terms. The club have said their key objectives are securing Championship football (they are currently chasing a play off position in League 1) “and thriving once there, bringing the stadium back to club ownership and filling it with fans for every match, and improving and expanding facilities and the youth system.”
The Canada-based investors have been looking at opportunities in English club ownership for the past two years and were advised on the deal by Alexander Jarvis of Blackbridge.
“While I have deep background in corporate turnarounds, what’s most attractive about the Posh is that it is already firing on all cylinders,” said Neale. “… the Club have a strong, clear 3-5 year plan that Stewart and I have bought into and will put our expertise and passion into bringing to fruition.”
“This partnership is not about going out and spending silly money on players or their agents but more about building on what the club already does very successfully,” said MacAnthony.
The new owners have wasted no time introducing themselves to fans with a ticket offer for the first 500 fans who commit to buying the final five home league games as a bundle, they will pay for the final game against Fleetwood Town on April 28..
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