Spartans owners are set for a takeover of Shrewsbury Town that will see the Edinburgh club’s majority shareholder team up with former Tottenham and US goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Miami-based Scott Davidson, who has overseen the League Two side’s rise from the Lowland League, and his consortium have been given the green light to purchase the struggling English club. Fellow directors Craig Graham and Will Dotson will also join the board of the 140-year-old Shrewsbury, as will Friedel, who has been working closely with Davidson on the proposal.
Cross-border dual ownership
The move is a reversal of the recent trend of cross-border dual ownerships led by English clubs. Spartans say, once finalised, it will allow both clubs to benefit from sharing expertise. Like the Ainslie Park outfit, Shrewsbury have a burgeoning community foundation. However, the club is struggling on the park, lying second from bottom of the fourth tier.
Talks are ongoing between Shrewsbury’s 85-year-old chairman Roland Wycherley and Davidson, and the deal has yet to be approved by the SFA. However, the English Football League and the Independent Football Regulator have both given the thumbs up, and the takeover is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Spartans' current position
Spartans currently sit fourth in League Two and face Forfar at home tomorrow. Sporting director Mixu Paatelainen this week stepped into the manager’s position, with Dougie Samuel - the longest serving boss in Scottish football - taking a short period of time out. Samuel took over in 2012.
Davidson, a self-made multi-millionaire, made his fortune in commercial real estate. Since joining Spartans, he has seen their promotion to League Two and played a part in developing the Spartans' football foundation, regarded as one of the biggest in the UK.
Statement from Spartans
A Spartans statement said: “A consortium led by Spartans main shareholder Scott Davidson have been given EFL/IFR approval to purchase Shrewsbury Town FC.
“The deal has yet to be finalised and is yet to receive SFA approval.
“The proposed new Board of Shrewsbury Town FC will be chaired by Scott and will also include fellow Spartans directors Will Dotson and Craig Graham, subject to IFR clearance which is expected this week, as well as Brad Friedel the US international and ex Premier League goalkeeper.
“There will be an informal relationship between Spartans FC and Shrewsbury Town FC which will allow both of us to benefit from sharing knowledge and experience.
“We also both have excellent Community Foundations, this deal will provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning. Further information will be shared as the acquisition process proceeds.”
