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Jon McClure leads consortium investing in world's oldest football club

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Key Points
  • Jon McClure has become chairman of Sheffield FC and leads a consortium with a 'significant minority' stake in the world's oldest football club.
  • The consortium plans to focus on commercial ventures like Esports and a football festival while aiming for sustainable growth, particularly for the women's team.
  • McClure rejects a Wrexham-style transformation, emphasizing humility and realistic goals over ambitious promises seen in other club investments.

Sheffield FC, established in 1857, is recognized as the world's oldest football club. It currently competes in the ninth-tier Northern Counties East League Premier Division and shares the city with Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. According to major media reports, McClure's consortium will focus initially on driving the commercial side of the club, with plans involving Esports and hosting a football festival, though the exact details of these commercial plans have not been disclosed.

McClure emphasized a realistic approach, stating, "The Wrexham thing is not how it's really going to work. " He added, "I'm not Ryan Reynolds, and I'm not anywhere near that famous, right? " He also distanced the group from ambitious promises seen elsewhere, referencing YouTuber KSI's investment in Dagenham, saying, "I've seen KSI be like 'Premier League in five years' and all this.

I'm not Ryan Reynolds, and I'm not anywhere near that famous, right? I'm well known nationally in the music world.

Jon McClure, Frontman of Reverend and the Makers and chairman of Sheffield FC

" The specific percentage stake held by the consortium and the timeline for implementing their plans remain unknown.

The Wrexham thing is not how it's really going to work. I think it's a slightly different model. And also Wrexham is not the first club in the world. The club, in some ways, is the superstar.

Jon McClure, Frontman of Reverend and the Makers and chairman of Sheffield FC

I think it should live within its means and be sustainable, where it becomes a second club for everyone in the South Yorkshire region, firstly, then maybe nationally.

Jon McClure, Frontman of Reverend and the Makers and chairman of Sheffield FC

We're saying, these are our aims and ambitions, and we're tempered with the reality that there is a ceiling, especially for the men's team.

Jon McClure, Frontman of Reverend and the Makers and chairman of Sheffield FC

I've seen KSI be like 'Premier League in five years' and all this. What if you don't do it, you're going to look like a right wally, aren't you?

Jon McClure, Frontman of Reverend and the Makers and chairman of Sheffield FC
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