Correct in terms of creating a closed shop. Culture of fear against speaking out against the "power broker" who is a legal professional with a propensity for taking legal action against anyone who speaks up.Originally Posted by Elfman
Journalists should be asking questions as to the relationship between these new owners and this power broker in situ. Seems to be radio silence when anyone is asked what his current status is at the club.
There is a big story to be uncovered at Athlone Town AFC (allegedly of course) if anyone had the patience and bravery to do a bit of digging.
Cheers Strongbow, always good to hear the club's fans' opinion on things.
Sorry to hear about the possibility that the new owners may not be completely detached from this "power broker" - I had hoped this would mean a clean slate for Athlone.
It sounds eerily similar to the FAI situation during the tenure of our well known, former CEO. Hope the full story comes out eventually.
And they're not stopping there on their world tour...
Larne have confirmed that Kenny Bruce has sold his 50% stake in the Irish Premiership club.
Bruce, the co-founder of an online estate agency, took over the then-Championship club in September 2017.
Since then, Larne were promoted to the Premiership and won the club's first two top-flight titles in 2023 and 2024 before a run to the league phase of the Uefa Conference League last season.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Inver Park club said Redball Global FC's Nick Giannotti and Eric Perez, who are described as "two seasoned executives with deep experience in international football and sports business", have acquired Bruce's stake.
American firm Redball are also involved with English Football League club Plymouth Argyle and League of Ireland side Athlone Town.
"I have always said that when it came time to hand over my shareholding in the club it would be to people who could give Larne FC a competitive edge moving forward and I am firmly of the belief this is the case," said Bruce, native of the East Antrim town and lifelong fan of the club.
"Since the moment our conversations began, both Nick and Eric have been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the due diligence and legal process.
"Neither are strangers to football in this part of the world and I am confident they will bring immense value to Larne FC in the years ahead, with their drive and professional experience."
More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c5y74761rrxo
Who owns the other 50%?
listened to BTS podcast this a.m with the new American Chairman.
Didnt impress me tbh and dissapointed he wasnt asked out straight how much of the club he owns, it seemed the most obvious question to ask with the rumours of it not being "a traditional takeover" actually mentioned on air especially as he talked about transparancy being important.
I hope for Athlones sake it works out but i wasnt reassured by what i heard..maybe im a cynic at this stage , be interested if others heard it.
In fairness to the guy maybe he is simply precluded from discussing it but not even asking the question and getting that response seemed odd
A couple of interesting comments by Dan O'Donnell today:
1. "By all accounts, Perez is hands-on in Larne and will have a backseat role in Athlone – even though he was involved in talks with prospective new managers"
and
2. In the statement put out by Cobh Ramblers following their recent change of ownership, they included: "Special thanks to... ... Eric Perez, who represented and supported the club throughout the transaction. [He and Alexander Jarvis of Blackbridge Sports LLC] both were pivotal in making the deal happen."
https://cobhramblers.ie/cobh-rambler...-ventures-dav/
Seeing as Perez seems to have his fingers in a few pies, both North and South, I hope his hands are clean!
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