Football is a beloved game and is enjoyed by millions around the globe. The World Cup and particularly the final has attracted billions of views from people all across the planet. So it is no wonder that people want to get involved as much as they can. One of those ways is to own a football club.
Some people say that owning a football club is one of the toughest gigs in the world with constant pressure from fans, players and staff to help produce what they all want. You do not see a turnover in profits especially if you are pumping your own money into the project.
Over the years, there have been lots of different businesses involved in football from some of the best betting companies, according to the site newbettingsites.uk, sponsoring shirts and stadiums to pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer AG owning top European clubs.
So in the UK who are the youngest owners and could young blood be the difference in helping the footballing world
Walton & Hersham FC
First off is the non-league side Walton & Hersham FC. The little heard side is currently owned by seven 22/23-year-olds. Back in 2019, the then 19-year-olds decided to buy a football club and they plucked for the Surrey-based club as the one to buy.
The boys have a lot of ambition and claim to be the youngest owners in the world.
Sunderland
Sunderland are one of the biggest clubs in the North East and they have had a troubled past in recent years. However, having gained promotion back to the Championship they are trying to reach the Premier League once again.
At the top of the show is the chairman and major stakeholder Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. The 25-year-old is the heir to the Louis Dreyfus Group trading empire. When he took over, he pledged to meet the passion of the fans and so far he has matching it.
His father was the majority stakeholder in Olympique Marseille for 20 years.
Forest Green Rovers
Albeit Dale Vince, aged 60 owns the club, he is also a co-owner with current Barcelona right-back Hector Bellerin. The Spaniard is a key believer in renewable energy and he praised their commitments to veganism and environmentalism.
Bellerin used to play for Arsenal and became a major stakeholder in the club in 2020.
Salford City
The club has rose up through the leagues and some may argue it is because they have been funded really well by Peter Lim and the Manchester United Class of 92. Among the Class of 92 at the age of 45 is Phil Neville.
Neville has a 10% stake in the club along with his teammates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and his brother Gary Neville.
Wrexham
There has been no club recently that has had more exposure than Wrexham AFC. The non-league side were acquired by the Hollywood money of Ryan Reynolds but also the 45-year-old Rob McElhenney. The Always Sunny in Philadelphia star had the idea of buying the Welsh club and joined up with Reynolds.
The club was featured in a documentary called Welcome to Wrexham and you could see the passion from McElhenney.
Leeds United
Although technically not under 45 anymore but the owner Andrea Radrizzani was the major stakeholder was only 42. Now still 47, the Leeds owner has helped the Yorkshire side back into the Premier League and once again an established club in the top division.
Dagenham & Redbridge
The non-league side also has an American feel to their ownership much like Wrexham. The consortium Trinity Sports Holdings own the club but among the consortium is the former USA and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard who knows what it takes to succeed on the pitch.
The safe hands of Tim Howard could help Dagenham & Redbridge up the leagues.
Ebbsfleet Town
Ebbsfleet Town were part of one of the best football ownerships in English football as they were fan owned. The fans ultimately had the save say over the proceedings at the club. However, in 2013 they were taken over by Kuwaiti outfit and the chairman is Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi who is under the age of 45.
Fleetwood Town
At just 34 years old in 2004, Andy Pilley became involved in Fleetwood Town. Now 52, he has created a club that is a respected league club. Pilley invest millions into the Fylde coast club and dragged them out of non-league and into League One.
During his ownership, he has overseen 6 promotions and Fleetwood have been in the 3rd tier of English football for 8 seasons but have come close to promotion several times.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Now 52, the Premier League owner was just 39 when he acquired the then League One side. The poker player has helped Brighton become a great Premier League side and many clubs are envious of the south coast club.
