York City Football Club - Change of Ownership - Our New Partnership Model

Following the transfer of Shares held in York City Football Club by JM Packaging Limited the Board of Directors leave the Club

Statement

Following the transfer of the shares, the Trust have completed the sale of 51% of the football club to their investor partner, Glen Henderson. This new partnership model results in the Trust’s stake increasing to 49% and a substantial cash investment in the club being made by both shareholders.

The club will now be jointly operated by Glen and the Supporters’ Trust in a collaborative spirit built around mutual trust and a strong emphasis on customer service.

Speaking about the takeover, Mike Brown (Trust Chairman) said: “As guardians of the football club since 2002, the Trust board are proud to have secured a change in ownership and investment that provides the club with a fantastic opportunity to grow and flourish. It’s been a tough journey at times, but we have been resolute in our objective of delivering a new fan focused ethos at the club. As we’ve developed our partnership with Glen it’s been increasingly clear that he has all the right skills, business experience, football knowledge, resources, personality, and energy to help us take the club forward. We look forward to working with him and everyone associated with the club to bring about a new, refreshing chapter in the club’s history.”

Glen first approached the Trust in June 2018 with a view to investing in the club under a new ‘football and fan-centric’ model. During that time, we have established a strong working relationship, business plan and exciting vision for the future. Working together, we will put the fans at the heart of everything we do and work to establish a new footballing model that runs through every level of York City FC.

Speaking about the acquisition of 51% of York City, Glen said: “Football has been my foundation throughout my life and in recent years I’ve developed a deep affection for York City. The philosophy of every business I’ve owned is to place people at the heart of everything and in my eyes the fans and the city are the club. Four years ago, I started on this journey with the Trust waiting for the right time and opportunity to present itself and that time is now.

Throughout that time, I have watched my son play in the York City youth team and sit on the bench for the first team numerous times. I have seen ups and downs, managers change and have identified a wealth of opportunities for improvement across every department of the club. I am thrilled to be working with the Trust to build a sustainable future for the club, all the while aiming to get York City back into the Football League.”

To give John Askey and Kingsley James the very best chance of success in the 2022/23 National League campaign, both shareholders have made substantial cash sums available to the football club. Going forwards, the shareholders and directors intend to operate a profitable business model but are committed to provide further strategic investment whenever appropriate.

In the coming days, the shareholders will appoint a new board of directors initially comprising of Glen Henderson as Chairman and Supporters’ Trust Board Member Alastair Smith as Chief Executive. The Supporters’ Trust board and a number of volunteers will assist them in reshaping various aspects of how the football club and Stadium Management Company operate. In due course, additional directors will be recruited to help drive the club forwards.

We are extremely optimistic about the future prospects for the football club and look forward to working closely with supporters, colleagues, local organisations, businesses, and partners to drive positive change and success on and off the pitch. We can’t change everything overnight but are set to carry out a roots and branches review of every aspect of the business over the next 12 months.

The coming year is crucial to keeping the momentum going on the back of the phenomenal success in last season’s play-offs. We call on every York City fan to get to games, create an electric atmosphere and help the squad to grow a winning belief and confidence.

This exciting new era kicks off this Friday evening with our first pre-season home fixture against Middlesbrough (7pm). We look forward to welcoming City fans old and new at the LNER Community Stadium. Tickets are now available at https://york-city.talent-sport.co.uk/

Further exciting announcements will be made in the coming days.

Glen Henderson Profile

Glen was born in Hartlepool and raised in South Africa where he played football at national level throughout his youth career and represented the U19 national team. He played semi-professionally for Benoni Northerns and Boksburg FC, before getting a 4-year scholarship in Atlanta, USA. In addition to his football experience, he holds an International Marketing Management Degree and BA in Business Administration.

Glen is married to Dr Janee Henderson who is a Chiropractor and has three children. They are a massive sporting family, with Ethan (20) playing football in the USA, Peyton (16) playing for Everton FC and Claira who aspires to be a professional tennis player.

Glen has an impressive business background, having co-founded Amazing Athletes Inc, a children’s multi-sport programme with franchises across the USA, which he sold to Youth Athletes Ltd in 2018.

He has also owned and operated two restaurants and a taproom bar in the USA, which sold in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Alastair Smith Profile

Hailing from Millington, near Pocklington, Alastair is a life-long supporter, he was Chairman of Pocklington Supporters Club before moving south and being one of the founders and current chairman of York City South. He is a recent addition to the Supporters’ Trust board and will be well known to many York City fans.

Alastair recently took early retirement following a 28-year senior career at Kimberly-Clark, where he held various Finance roles based in the UK before becoming the Financial Controller for North America. He is a CIMA qualified accountant.

Alastair is married to Wendy, and they have two boys, Matt (31) and Brad (27). Both boys are City fans and attend matches regularly.

Combining his previous roles in a multi-billion dollar turnover multi-national FMCG company and his dedicated passion for York City, Alastair brings a wealth of business experience, knowledge and expertise that will help to drive positive change at the football club.