Business News Deals

One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson buys Doncaster Rovers, launches crowdfunding campaign to cover running costs

By | Published on Friday 20 June 2014

Louis Tomlinson

One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson is now the proud owner of Doncaster Rovers Football Club. Well, co-owner. It still counts though.

It’s a deal that was originally due to be announced to coincide with One Direction’s recent appearance at Wembley Stadium, presumably because of its football heritage, but a press conference at the venue was cancelled at the last minute, seemingly due to a few details not being ironed out. But yesterday, it was confirmed that former DRFC Chairman John Ryan and Tomlinson, also a reserve team member for the club, had exchanged contracts with previous owners Terry Bramall, Dick Watson and David Blunt. A completion date on the deal is set for 18 Jul.

The pair are now launching a crowdfunding campaign in an effort to raise £2 million to pay for the actual running of the club. They’ve also launched a trust, called The Tomlinson Ryan Trust, to manage the money raised. The two men have put in £500,000 themselves to get the ball rolling.

Says Tomlinson: “For me, this is all about the football, the community and restoring the excitement and desire to making Doncaster Rovers the most exciting club to play for in Yorkshire. I want to see the Doncaster Rovers supporters get the club the success it deserves. I grew up in Doncaster and have felt the love for football run through the town, it’s for that reason that I have a real personal passion to make Doncaster Rovers a success story. This is a big step which I believe will open up opportunities to provide a very, very exciting future for the club and its supporters”.

Ryan added: “By setting up the Trust, launching the crowdfunding campaign with crowdfunder.co.uk, and putting our own money in, we are making it clear to Doncaster Rovers supporters, and the general public, that we are planning to give the club the support and resources it needs. As its previous Chairman I am still totally committed to developing an exciting future for the club. The objectives of the trust provide a roadmap to make the club an even greater success. I am very pleased to join forces with Louis to make this happen. It’s an exciting moment for Doncaster Rovers”.

On his ability to run a football club, Tomlinson went on: “Although I’m young, I am very ambitious and I really want this club to succeed. All that’s in it for me is to be a part of something great and I think we can really do that here at Doncaster Rovers. Doncaster is a footballing town and it would be great to continue that feeling throughout the town. This is a massive step for me. I want to keep my feet on the ground but I’m really excited and just want the club to succeed”.

And on his new business partner Ryan, the singer added: “Me and John have talked a lot about the football club, he’s a very successful businessman. We have a good relationship and I think it will be a great partnership”.

With various rewards on offer for backers, the campaign must raise at least £2 million by 17 Jul in order to be funded. You can throw in a few quid here, if you want.



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