Bristol Rovers

League Two football club Bristol Rovers has been acquired by the eminent Jordanian Al Qadi family, it was announced today. As part of the deal Mr Wael Al Qadi will become President of the club.

Mr Al Qadi is a lifelong fan of English Football and a member of the executive board of the Jordan Football Association. The former Chairman of Swansea City, Steve Hamer, who has played a key role in the deal, will become the football club’s new Chairman, replacing Nick Higgs who will step down.

Mr Al Qadi, aged 46, and a father of four, was educated at Westminster School and Boston University commented: “I’ve been a passionate football fan all of my life and I'm excited to become involved with Bristol Rovers, which has such an amazing heritage and loyal fan base

“We really see the potential of this great club. Bristol Rovers has always been known as a family club and it is my family’s wish to maintain that tradition, through our own involvement and commitment.

“Whilst we will be investing in the club, we also want to see the club grow organically and we will be introducing a good recruitment policy, new structure, a new academy system that will produce a flow of players into the first team. We believe in a mix of home grown youth and experience to achieve the success this club and the region deserves.”

The new Chairman, Steve Hamer, said: “I have a very high regard and respect for Wael and his family and I am totally confident from my considerable dealings with them that they are serious about their ambitions for Bristol Rovers. I truly believe they can deliver the success for the club and its fans, which they deserve. We would like to place on record our thanks and recognition for all the hard work Nick Higgs and his team have done in the past.”

Former Chairman Nick Higgs said:” I sincerely believe that Bristol Rovers can count itself as being very fortunate to attract the interest of Mr Al Qadi and his family. This club and the region deserves to have considerably more prominence on the football map. The board promised the fans on many occasions that it would only agree to the sale of the club if the right person expressed a serious interest.”