Sheffield Wednesday takeover consortium identities revealed - first words to fanbase
The identities of two figures working alongside James Bord in the consortium that has received preferred bidder status of Sheffield Wednesday have been revealed.
The club is in the EFL vetting stage of the administration process that if passed as expected will see the group take control of Wednesday having put forward the highest bid to administrators at Begbies Traynor. Little had been made public about the group to date - with many stakeholders demanding answers around the identities of those involved and the would-be source of funding to the club moving forward.
The Sheffield Wednesday consortium
Information on the consortium released to The Star and others on Tuesday evening confirms the involvement of Felix Roemer and Alsharif Faisal Bin Jamil alongside Bord. It describes the consortium as 'privately funded' - and makes clear it is to be led by Bord and Roemer. The group has put down a non-refundable deposit that will go towards the club's meantime running costs.
Bord's involvement has been reported for some time, as has his involvement at clubs including Dunfermline and Spanish side Cordoba - as well his a consultancy arrangement at Sheffield United. A press release describes Bord as a 'leading technology entrepreneur with a long-standing background in fintech, data analytics, machine learning and sports modelling.' A former poker player, he is founder of Short Circuit Science, a football analytics company.
Both Roemer and Alsharif have worked alongside Bord previously on football projects. German-born Roemer is listed as a entrepreneur with history in the finance technology, gambling and software industries. Believed to be based in Malta, Roemer is a shareholder in Bord's Short Circuit Science company.
Alsharif, Short Circuit's Group CEO, is listed as the consortium's chief executive and has been involved in Bord-linked projects at both Dunfermline and Cordoba. A graduate of Oxford University and Imperial College London, he is a board member of Infinity Sports, a sports investment and management company based in Bahrain and the UAE. He is said to be a member of the Jordanian royal family.
A statement read in part: "The Consortium is a privately funded group of investors led by James Bord and Felix Roemer. The consortium focuses on long-term, responsible investment supported solely by its own capital, with an emphasis on stable governance, operational discipline and data-informed decision making.
"It brings together complementary expertise across technology, analytics and high growth ventures to support sustainable performance in the organisations with which it engages. The consortium supports a long-term sustainable ownership of this historic club and is committed to preserving and enhancing its legacy. It aims to strengthen Sheffield Wednesday to enable the club to regain its position at the pinnacle of the game."
It also reads: "While we recognise that there will still be many questions to be answered, we are unable to engage fully at this stage or provide a running commentary on the process. We recognise the frustration that this may cause fans of this great football club but hope they understand the limitations placed on the Consortium at this particular point in time."