Sports Alpha Capital Completes Northampton Town Majority Takeover
Sports Alpha Capital (SAC) has completed its acquisition of a 70% stake in Northampton Town Ventures Limited (NTVL), the majority shareholder in Northampton Town Football Club.
David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will retain a combined 30% interest in NTVL following completion of the regulatory and contractual process.
The club said it moves into the new ownership structure debt free, while retaining its established foundations and community focus.
SAC is a Brazilian-UK, football-focused investment group that combines long-term capital with operational expertise and an active ownership model. Its partners have backgrounds in professional football, private equity, finance, technology, business and media.
SAC founding partners Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain, said: “We are delighted to have completed our investment in Northampton Town Football Club and are extremely proud to become custodians of a club with such a rich history, passionate supporter base and important place within its community.
“We would like to thank Kelvin, David and Nigel for the trust they have placed in Sports Alpha Capital and for the open and constructive way in which they have worked with us throughout this process.
“We recognise the strong position in which they are handing over the club. Northampton Town is debt free, has a strong relationship with its supporters and community and has solid foundations already in place. Our responsibility is to protect those foundations while bringing the investment, expertise and ambition required to build upon them.
“We have ambitious plans for Northampton Town, but ambition must go hand in hand with sustainability and an understanding of what the club means to the people of Northampton and Northamptonshire.
“We want the club to continue to be a source of pride within its community and will work closely with the Community Trust, supporters, staff, partners and local stakeholders to ensure that relationship continues to grow.
“We are looking forward to spending much more time in Northampton, listening to supporters and working together to help the club realise its potential both on and off the pitch.
“This is the beginning of a long-term commitment from Sports Alpha Capital to Northampton Town Football Club, and we are incredibly excited about the journey ahead.”
Markham Capital & Sports Advisory originated the opportunity and acted as exclusive sell-side adviser to Northampton Town Ventures Limited. The deal was also one of the first to go through the Independent Football Regulator’s robust investor review process.
Further announcements covering SAC, Northampton Town’s new board and the club’s future plans are expected in due course.
