Former Brazil forward Pato joins Northampton board after takeover
Former Brazil, AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato has joined Northampton Town’s board after Sports Alpha Capital acquired a 70 per cent stake in the company controlling the League Two club. The takeover was approved by England’s football regulator and the English Football League and leaves Northampton debt-free.
Former Brazil and AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato has joined Northampton Town’s board following the completion of Sports Alpha Capital’s takeover of the League Two club. Sports Alpha Capital acquired a 70 per cent shareholding in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, which owns the majority of shares in Northampton, according to BBC Sport. Existing owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will retain a combined 30 per cent stake.
The takeover was approved by the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League earlier this month. Northampton said the transaction leaves the club debt-free after it reported a pre-tax loss of just under £3 million in April. Pato, 37, is one of Sports Alpha Capital’s investors and will serve as a director.
He retired from professional football last year and was capped 27 times by Brazil. The former striker spent five and a half years at AC Milan, scoring 63 goals in 150 appearances and helping the club win the 2010–11 Serie A title. Investors, including Pato, attended Northampton’s 1-0 League Two victory over Newport County on September 5.
The takeover has also changed the club’s leadership. Thomas, who had been chairman for more than a decade, is stepping down but will remain a shareholder and director. Sports Alpha Capital’s Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will become co-chairmen.
Chief executive James Whiting and supporters’ representative Tom Cliffe will remain on the board. Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing will leave their board positions and become associate directors. In a joint statement, Xavier and Chamberlain said the new owners had ambitious plans, but would pursue them sustainably and with regard for Northampton’s role in its community.
They said the club would work with supporters, staff, partners and the Community Trust. Northampton were relegated to League Two last season after finishing bottom of League One. Chris Hogg became manager in May, and the club signed 13 players during the summer transfer window.
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