Tamworth Football Club has been acquired by a 24-year-old American property investor, Abdullah Ashraf, who has set his sights on guiding the 93-year-old club into the English Football League.
New Ownership Details
The National League club announced that Ashraf, a keen football fan who helped establish a club in his home state of Oklahoma, has completed the purchase through his US firm Dawn Group International. The deal received approval from the Football Association, the Football League, and the new Independent Football Regulator.
Ashraf praised previous owners Bob Andrews and Steve Lathbury for their 40 years of stewardship, highlighting back-to-back promotions, the memorable FA Cup run in the 2024/25 season, and the club's stability in the National League. He stated: "Now it’s time to build on those successes and take the club to even greater heights. I intend to make the dream of Tamworth playing in the EFL a reality."
Active Chairman Despite Distance
Despite residing in the United States, Ashraf promised to be a hands-on chairman, frequently traveling to England to support the club. He said: "I will be very ‘hands-on’ at Tamworth and won’t be an absentee owner watching on from across the Atlantic. I’ll be flying over frequently to support the club and push forward my plans to advance Tamworth FC on and off the field."
He expressed his passion for the club, adding: "I hope to quickly become a familiar face in the stadium and fans will soon realise just how passionate I am about our club."
Upcoming Events
Ashraf is scheduled to attend a press conference at Tamworth's Assembly Rooms on Friday, June 19 at 3pm, followed by addressing fans at The Lamb ground on Saturday, June 20 during a fan festival running from 4pm to 11pm.
He concluded: "I see a very bright and exciting future ahead and, in my capacity as chairman, I guarantee I will do everything in my power to push Tamworth FC to new heights. Tamworth is an exceptional town with a beloved football club right at the heart of the community and we aim to keep it that way. Together, we will bring about a new dawn for Tamworth."
