A NEW dawn has broken at Salisbury FC after the club announced it has been taken over by a Kuwaiti entrepreneur.
The cryptocurrency mogul Ali Alhamad has been welcomed as a new investor, with the club saying the new boost to finances will lead to a change in ownership pending approval by the Football Association and the National League.
Mr Alhamad’s company, Proleague Ltd, was first registered on Companies House on April 24.
The change comes as the club’s board of directors came to the conclusion that they have pushed Salisbury FC as far as they could.
In a statement, the club said rather than allowing the club to stagnate or fall backwards, they would begin the process of finding new investors, with Mr Alhamad impressing chiefs with his ambitions for the club, both on and off the field.
Salisbury finished just one point above the relegation zone last season, with fans and staff calling for further investment to help the club compete in the division.
Salisbury FC Chairman, Ian Hammond, said: “We appreciated that the cost of running the club successfully in the National League South or above, is far greater than running the club in the Southern League. We don’t want to go back down there.
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“We could not support [manager] Brian with a decent budget that he could be really satisfied with that would enable him to develop the club going forward.
“What really matters for us is to generate a sustainable club for Salisbury. Which has every opportunity to move forward rather than move backward. We couldn’t have done it without new investment.
“It’s not just a question of a one-off gift going into the bank account of the club. Long-term sustainability is what really matters for the club.
“Therefore, a new style of investment is absolutely necessary to carry the club forward into the future.”
“Proven track record of success”
Technologist Mr Alhamad was introduced to the board by Alexander Jarvis, founder of Blackbridge Sports LLC, a third-party that was utilised to find prospective investors.
Conversations continued over several months, and the process culminated in a board meeting held on June 17, to confirm the deal after an extensive due diligence process carried out by the club’s lawyers in conjunction with the FA and the National League.
The club said that Mr Alhamad has “a proven track record of success across industries ranging from manufacturing and real estate to blockchain and cryptocurrency.”
A PhD candidate and Oxford-certified blockchain strategist, Mr Alhamad brings both business acumen and forward-thinking innovation to the club.
Club directors were impressed with his knowledge of the English game, as well as his expertise on Salisbury FC and the National League South.
The takeover will see manager Brian Dutton have an increased budget as they look to progress up the table.
Manager Brian Dutton Picture: Michael Berkeley
Brian Dutton said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ali has come on board. Last season, I mentioned a couple of times that the football club needed to find fresh investment in order to be competitive at the level.
“The chairman, Ian Hammond, and his family have been outstanding custodians of this football club, and we’ve all been incredibly lucky to have had their commitment over recent years.
“Ian was the perfect chairman a manager could ask for, allowing me to do what I was good at without interference, backing me all the way. But it was unsustainable and unfair to keep asking Ian to foot the bill alone for all these years.
“Ali brings excitement, enthusiasm and a renewed feeling of hope to Salisbury FC. Having had several meetings with him, I’m filled with confidence that the club will reach its full potential.
“Obviously there will be apprehension going into the unknown, but nothing in life was ever achieved without risk. From a manager’s point of view, it is the right time for the football club to be taken in a new direction.
“I look forward to working with Ali, bringing onboard his fresh perspective, and building a club that can look to carve an exciting and successful path into the next season and beyond.
“Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who’s worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to achieve this outcome.”
“This is just the beginning”
Mr Alhamad said he sees a considerable amount of potential in the club.
He said: “I’m honoured to take this important step with Salisbury FC and join a club with such a proud history and loyal fan base. From my very first visit, I felt a deep connection with the city, the people, and the potential that lies ahead.
“I come into this role not just as an investor, but as someone who truly wants to contribute to the club’s growth on and off the field.
“I believe in building a sustainable football culture that invests in youth, strengthens our ties with the local community, and creates a winning environment with strong values at its core.
“This is just the beginning. I look forward to working closely with everyone at the club and supporting our journey together, every step of the way.”
Time will tell whether the change in ownership will boost the club’s fortunes.
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