Penningtons Manches Cooper advises US-based businessman Brad Galinson on his majority acquisition of Gillingham Football Club

Posted: 05/01/2023

The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper, working alongside the specialist sports sector team, has advised US-based businessman Brad Galinson on his majority acquisition of Sky Bet League Two team Gillingham Football Club. Paul Scally, chairman at the club since 1995, continues to retain a minority shareholding as part of the transaction.

The corporate team advising Brad Galinson was led by partners Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant with support from associate Jennifer Ford and paralegal Kajol Harrar. The wider team supporting the deal included sports sector lead and employment partner Andrew Haywood, corporate tax partner Stephen Goldstraw, commercial partner Oliver Kidd, banking and finance senior associate Andy Rushfirth, employment associate Thomas Cleeve and real estate associates Lauren Winch and Ben Madden.  

Brad Galinson commented: “Myself and my family are absolutely delighted to have completed the acquisition of Gillingham Football Club. It is a club with a rich heritage and a passionate, loyal fan base. Paul Scally has done an excellent job over the last 27 years, and we hope with our involvement the club will move forward. A bright future with, hopefully, more goals and a lucrative transfer window are on the horizon. I’d like to thank Adam, Emma and the wider team at Penningtons Manches Cooper for their expertise and advice on this important transaction for myself and Gillingham Football Club.”

Adam McGiveron, corporate partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “It has been great to work with Brad and his family on this important transaction for Gillingham Football Club, which has a long and rich heritage in English football. We look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.”

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