Phoenix 2021 have completed the Wigan Athletic takeover, chaired by Talal Mubarak Al Hammad, promising a much “healthier and stable” future for the club.
Phoenix 2021 Complete Wigan Athletic Takeover as New Era Beckons
The New Owners at Wigan
Talal Mubarak Al Hammad is a Bahrain businessman who is registered as chairman for Phoenix 2021.
He said: “Personally, I feel excited and happy to start this new challenge. The fans have stayed with the Club through a very dark period and we will do all we can to make sure the future of the Club is a much healthier and stable one.”
The group includes three directors; Richard Bramwell, Thomas Markham and Malachy Brannigan.
Bramwell has been Finance Director at Wigan since 2013.
Brannigan has a wealth of experience, most recently as Managing Director at Dundee United, Dundalk and Sheffield United. He has previously had roles at Everton, Hull City, Coventry and Derby County.
He now takes up the role of CEO at Wigan.
Oliver Gottmann is the chief finance officer at Phoenix 2021.
Abdulrahman Al Jasmi has significant control and is listed as an Ubo (Ultimate Beneficiary Owner). He is also a prominent businessman in Bahrain.
Wigan’s New Owners Speak Out
Al-Hammad and Al Jasmi have recorded brief video messages that have been published on Wigan’s club website.
Al-Hammad was quick to praise the staff and management at the club: “Today we have Wigan Athletic because of them. They are the true heroes.
“The hard work that they made keeping Wigan Athletic standing tall, strong.
“Hopefully there is new challenges and I believe in this team and I believe in the coaching team and the management behind the club.”
He then gave a brief message to the Latics faithful: “Get ready. It will be a nice journey. A magnificent era. We need your support to achieve this.”
Al Jasmi, UBO at Phoenix 2021, said: “I have selected an excellent executive team to drive this club back to its glory days.
“My vision is to restore the club and stabilise [it] in order to bring it back to the Championship.
“To all Wigan fans: We need your support now more than ever. A new era has begun.”
Onwards and Upwards for the Latics
A great weight has been lifted now that the club has found new owners.
Now Wigan can put their fall into administration last summer behind them and having survived the failed takeover by Felipe Moreno over Christmas, the club can begin to look ahead to a bright new future.
But for now, the objective is survival.
Wigan are clinging perilously to the bottom of League One, with just five points separating rock bottom Rochdale and the five teams above.
There is still plenty of time for a revival, with the Latics holding the best form out of the relegation battlers. They have lost just once in the last five matches, accruing eight points.
Later today Wigan face Gillingham, in what is yet another all-important match for gaining points.
Gillingham are much higher up the table but have similar recent form with eight points gained in their last five league matches.
Wigan will go into the match eager to win for the first time under new owners, and for the first time since the 9th of March.
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