Kentish Football 
Danish football fans become joint owners of Croydon Athletic
Thursday 02nd December 2010
CROYDON ATHLETIC are pleased to welcome Fodboldsekskabet A/S as joint owners of the club with effect from 1st January 2011.
The Danish football fans' company, led by Palle Rasmussen and Christopher Baadsgaard, have joined forces to take the club forward both on and off the pitch.
A statement published on the club’s official website www.croydonathletic.net said: “The papers were signed, sealed and delivered today and the club are looking forward to a successful partnership between Fodboldsekskabet and Mazhar Majeed.
“Majeed continues to own 49% of the club and will continue to play an active part in the running of the club.
“Palle Rasmussen heads his own construction business and Christopher Baadsgaard runs a web development company back in Denmark.
“Palle explained that his company had been looking at seven clubs in England, and after visiting the KT Stadium was impressed by the resolve of the club in times of difficulty, the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the fighting spirit of the players battling to get a result. He felt that his company could “make a difference” .
Mazhar Majeed commended the management committee at the Rams for “keeping the club running” over the last few months and enabling the club to function in difficult times.
The statement added: “Fodboldsekskabet were fully aware of the financial situation at Croydon Athletic, and negotiated closely with Majeed, whom Rasmussen commended for being “completely transparent” about the problems and financial issues at the club.
“Palle and Christopher head a group of over 400 Danish football enthusiasts who are fanatical about English football, and whose dream was to own a British club. These are formed of skilled professional people who are able to offer commercial skills to the running of the club, and form an extensive network who can offer a lot to the Rams.
“They had previously been involved with a possible takeover at Chester City eight months ago, but this did not come to fruition.
“Croydon Athletic now have the tag of being the only English club owned by the Danes, and the story has been of intense media interest back in Denmark, making the front page of local newspapers when the story was released today.
“Palle admitted that the main aim for this season was to keep the Rams in the (Ryman) Premier League, and would then like to take the club forward from there. With a large group of people involved in Fodboldsekskabet, travel excursions to Britain are being planned with several hundred down on the list waiting to increase the attendance at the KT Stadium over the forthcoming months.
“In addition there are plans to bring in Danish Championship players in the New Year to bolster the squad.
“Palle has a five year business plan in place for the Rams, designed to improve the squad and increase the revenue through sponsorship and business opportunities.”
Dave Garland and Bob Langford were confirmed in their positions as joint managers for the season, and would have sole control over the first team squad.
The Danes also wanted to focus on marketing and sponsorship activities at the club, and would be bringing in expertise in these areas to try and increase revenue.
The Rams can now look forward to a period of stability for the rest of the season.
The Thornton Heath based club are currently rooted to the foot of the Ryman Premier League table with three wins and three draws after 18 league games.
Article courtesy of www.croydonathletic.net
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd