Penningtons Manches Cooper advises Dawn Group International on acquisition of Tamworth Football Club
The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper, working alongside the firm’s specialist sports sector group, has advised US-based real estate and investment firm Dawn Group International on its acquisition of National League club Tamworth Football Club.
The transatlantic deal follows months of negotiations and brings to a close a 40-year period of ownership that saw the club secure back-to-back promotions, reach the third round of the FA Cup in the 2024/25 season, and establish itself as a stable and well-run presence in the National League.
The takeover received the necessary regulatory approval from the Football Association, the English Football League, and the Independent Football Regulator.
Abdullah Ashraf, founder and chief executive of Dawn Group International, has real estate investment experience across more than $250 million of US commercial property transactions and was also instrumental in the foundation of Oklahoma United FC, bringing an existing track record in football ownership to the role. He has been appointed chairman of Tamworth Football Club, succeeding long-standing owners Bob Andrews and Steve Lathbury, and has set out ambitions to build on Tamworth’s recent momentum, with a stated goal of taking the club into the English Football League.
The corporate team advising Dawn Group International was led by corporate partners Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant, with support from associate Fars Aziz. The wider team advising on the deal included employment partner Andrew Haywood and associate Lucas Grinstead, and real estate partner Andrew Mellor and senior associate Emma Connaughton.
Abdullah Ashraf, founder and chief executive of Dawn Group International, commented: “The successful completion of the acquisition of Tamworth Football Club marks the end of a complex and highly collaborative process. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Adam McGiveron, Faryaal Aziz, and Andrew Haywood of Penningtons Manches Cooper for their exceptional work throughout the transaction. Their professionalism, attention to detail, commercial judgement, and tireless commitment were instrumental in guiding the deal to a successful conclusion. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented team, and we are deeply grateful for their contribution to this historic transaction.”
Adam McGiveron, corporate partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “This has been a fantastic transaction to work on, and we wish Tamworth Football Club every success under its new ownership. The club has a proud history and a loyal fan base, and this investment gives it a real opportunity to build on the progress of recent seasons. We look forward to following the next chapter of its story.”