Scottish club's owners set to buy historic English football side in landmark deal

The owners of part-time Scottish League Two side Spartans have been given the green light to complete a remarkable takeover of Shrewsbury Town.

In a ground-breaking twist to recent cross-border dual club ownership deals, a consortium led by Spartans' United States-based main shareholder Scott Davidson have been in discussions with Shrewsbury Town chairman and owner Roland Wycherley MBE.

The 85-year-old Wycherley bought the Shropshire club in 1996 but announced an intention to sell two years ago. Several prospective deals with other parties have fallen through.

Shrewsbury Town play in League Two at New Meadow. | Getty Images

The latest prospective takeover has been ratified by both the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), the newly-formed statutory board established by the UK government to safeguard financial stability, and the English Football League (EFL). The EFL relaxed restrictions about cross-border ownership last year following investment in Scottish football from owners of top-flight English clubs.

The Scottish Football Association have yet to approve the deal. However, it’s understood the governing body are supportive. A statement from Spartans highlighted the opportunity to “share knowledge and experience” between the two clubs. Spartans are currently sitting fourth in Scotland’s fourth tier while Shrewsbury are second bottom in League Two in England after five games. A player, Irish striker Ricardo Dinanga, is already on loan at Spartans from the Shropshire side.

Both clubs already have thriving charity foundations. Current Spartans chairman Craig Graham is set to become a director of Shrewsbury while the most eyebrow-raising detail is the presence of former United States international goalkeeper Brad Friedel on the proposed board. The 55-year-old is friends with Davidson, the Miami-based financier who has been involved at Spartans since 2021.

The fourth member of the new board is New York-based financier Will Dotson, who is also currently a director of Spartans. The news will be top of the conversation agenda among home supporters when Spartans entertain Forfar Athletic at Ainslie Park – or Vanloq Community stadium as it is otherwise known – in front of a crowd of around 500 fans this weekend.

Shrewsbury host Northampton Town at the same time, with ten times the number of supporters expected to watch the English side than Spartans can muster at home. This attendance disparity is one of several fascinating aspects of the proposed deal, the first of its kind in Scottish football.

The individuals involved have undergone stringent EFL and IFR owners’ and directors’ test including a thorough check of business background and relevant footballing experience to date. Graham and Dotson’s involvement remains subject to IFR approval, which is expected next week.

“As announced in the media today a consortium led by Spartans main shareholder Scott Davidson have been given EFL/IFR approval to purchase Shrewsbury Town FC,” said a statement from the ambitious north Edinburgh based club. “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, 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.”