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The lead singer of indie band Reverend and the Makers has been appointed as the new chairman of Sheffield FC. Jon McClure, in partnership with performing arts company IAV Holdings Limited, has acquired a stake in the club, which currently competes in the ninth tier of English football. Their goal is to help the club progress through the nonleague system. They plan to relocate the club back to Sheffield from its current base in Derbyshire and have outlined several ambitions, including establishing a football academy, an eSports center, a national football
purchase Sheffield FC back in 2018 with his manager, David Bianchi, founder of Various Artists Management. “We were quoted a price that seemed unreasonable at the time, so we walked away, thinking that was the end of it,” he said. Now, McClure and Bianchi have successfully arranged a deal to become partowners of the club, alongside a group of investors. The club’s new board includes Andrew Ford and Alexis Krachai, joining McClure, Bianchi, existing owner Jeremy Levine, and his son Jack. Ford is a local businessman and the son of former Sheffield Wednesday
Indie Star takes over historic sheffield club festival, a clothing brand, a visitor center, and even a TV show. McClure expressed that he has always been interested in Sheffield FC, stating, “As a Sheffield native, I grew up with the idea that we invented football in this city.” He added, “It’s frustrating that this isn’t more widely celebrated.” Founded in 1857, Sheffield FC is widely recognized as the world’s first football club. However, McClure noted, “Many people in the city still don’t know that. On a national and international level, people remain completely unaware.” He revealed that he initially attempted to
player David Ford, while Krachai is managing director of Counter Context, a Sheffield-based communications and public affairs firm. This new ownership structure was announced less than two months after venture capital firm Yorkshire AI Labs reported having two bids to acquire Sheffield FC rejected. McClure said he wanted to bring success for all teams at Sheffield FC, but he recognised “there’s a limit football-wiswe”, especially with the men. “This is not Wrexham. I’m not Ryan Reynolds. Let’s get it clear, I’m in an indie band. I know my place in this world,” he said. “I’ve taken a lot of advice
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from football people. I’m not a football person, and I won’t be involved in football stuff. “There’s a limit for Sheffield FC. It’s a nonleague club. This is not me talking now. This is Chris Wilder, Vill Powell and others. “These are people who care about the club. They’re saying to me, it can’t ever compete with Wednesday or United. That’s not what it’s there to do. “On the women’s side, I think there’s less of a ceiling. I think the women could be very successful, and we want to prioritise that, but it has to be done by engaging actual football people.”
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