Billionaire Mike Danson rescues Wigan Athletic with EFL-approved takeover

Wigan billionaire businessman, Mike Danson, has ended fears over Wigan Athletic FC’s immediate future after a company backed by the Datamonitor founder agreed to buy the League One side for an undisclosed sum.

The deal to acquire 100% from previous owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi has been cleared by the English Football League (EFL).

A new board, along with a chief executive, will be announced in due course. First team manager, Shaun Maloney, will remain at the club.

Funds have been paid into the club to cover all outstanding debt.

All players and staff will be paid immediately, along with other creditors, although it is unclear whether this includes HMRC which, earlier this week, hit the club with a winding-up petition over unpaid tax bills, with a July 26 hearing already pencilled in.

In a statement the club said it wishes to pay thanks to Mr Abdulrahman Al Jasmi and Mr Talal Al Hammad for their commitment to the sale process and for saving the club from administration back in 2021.

It said: “Thanks also go to Wigan Council, Lisa Nandy – Labour MP for Wigan – and the Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club.

“Thank you to the EFL who have worked tirelessly under strict time constraints to ratify the sale.”

Mike Danson said: “I am delighted to become involved in Wigan Athletic Football Club. I was born in Wigan, I grew up locally and the community of the town is close to my heart.

“I want to recognise that the club has a hugely important part to play in the local community, not just for players, but for fans, employees and all its suppliers, business partners and numerous community groups.

“We have worked hard to provide the EFL with a realistic financial plan to stabilise operations. We look forward to a fresh start for the club and planning for the upcoming season.”

He added: “Many community and club representatives, including Lisa Nandy MP, David Molyneux, executive leader of Wigan Council and Alison McKenzie-Folan CEO of Wigan Council, along with the Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club and the EFL, have worked extremely hard to bring about a positive conclusion to the club’s recent troubles.

“Wigan Athletic and its fans have had a lot of uncertainty over recent years and the most important thing now is to give all stakeholders the opportunity to focus on the season ahead.”

First team manager, Shaun Maloney, said: “This news is fantastic for everyone associated with the football club and the town of Wigan.

“I want to pay thanks to Mr Danson and his team for all their hard work and perseverance. His vision and passion for the community have resonated strongly with all of us.

“I also want to pay tribute to the staff, supporters and, of course, the players that have stuck with us through one of the club’s most difficult times.

“We are all extremely confident of a sustainable and stable future and we are now excited to prepare for the 2023/24 season and beyond.”

The club, which was relegated from the Championship last season, will kick off its League One campaign with an eight point deduction, imposed by the EFL, for late payment of salaries.

On June 4, the club said a deal had been agreed, in principle, for the sale the club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.

It said the prospective new owners had committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.

However, it is unclear whether this referred to Mr Danson’s approach.

In 2021 Mr Danson was also linked with a potential £10m takeover of Super League Rugby Union club Wigan Warriors.

He had invested £2.5m after taking a significant minority stake in the club the previous year.