Norwich City is delighted to announce that a group led by Mark Attanasio has successfully acquired a minority shareholding in the football club.
Attanasio’s group have acquired shares from a variety of holders, which includes long-serving club director Michael Foulger’s holding.
Attanasio has also joined the club’s board of directors, effective immediately.
Foulger, who joined the club alongside current joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones in 1996, will vacate his seat on the board at the end of the season, having agreed to oversee a transition period over the coming months. Following this, Foulger will take up a new role of honorary vice president.
In a statement, Norwich City joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones said: “We’re really excited about the future. We care passionately about the football club and are confident that this will be right for all involved.
“Mark and his team come to us with amazing credentials. Their vision and way of working is very much aligned in how we work at our football club. They care about their community and supporters and that’s exactly how we work.
“Our club is being run excellently, so we don’t expect any big changes. We look forward to collaborating with Mark and his team as they learn more about our club and we gain insights from their relevant expertise.
“Mark has brought some very impressive improvements and developments to the Milwaukee Brewers. We feel he’ll be a breath of fresh air into our board and football club.”
Speaking of Foulger’s contribution to the club, Delia and Michael said: “Michael was involved with us from the very start. He has always been extremely generous and really came to the rescue of the club.
“He embodies the local feeling and approach to all that is good about our club. He has always been so supportive on the board and backed the important decisions.
“He has always had the best interest of the club at heart and we’re grateful for his support and backing.”
Foulger said: “This has been a difficult decision, but I feel I have done all I can for this amazing football club.
“I have always stated that I would only sell to the right person, both for the football club and for Delia and Michael. I believe that the group led by Mark Attanasio is the right fit to take the club forward, alongside the ownership of Delia and Michael.
“I have enjoyed a great relationship with Delia and Michael. I have admired their passion for the club and have been proud to have supported them financially, in crucial times, whenever possible. The club remains in good hands.
“I would like to thank everyone, particularly the supporters, for their fantastic backing of both the club and myself during my time on board.”
All at Norwich City would like to place on record its sincere thanks and gratitude for Michael’s service and commitment to the football club.
Attanasio, 64, is an American businessman and the chairman and principal owner of the Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball team. Over the course of Attanasio’s 17-year tenure, the Brewers have been one of baseball’s most competitive teams.
Attanasio has also been an accomplished investment management executive for more than 35 years. He is co-founder and managing partner of Crescent Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based asset management firm that also has a longstanding presence in the UK and Europe.
Mark Attanasio said: “It’s really exciting. I feel that there are so many parallels between what we have at the Milwaukee Brewers and Norwich City. Both clubs have long-time, passionate family ownership and a community that is really attached to the team.
“I’ve been out to the city and spent time around the club and the energy was intoxicating.
“Michael Foulger was willing to sell his shares and that has given us the opportunity, with Delia and Michael’s approval, to become engaged in the club.
"Michael was not going to just sell his shares to any person or group and Delia and Michael are very much in charge. I have a seat on the board and hopefully I can help contribute towards Norwich City being successful.
“The facilities at Norwich City are world class. Yes, things can always be better, but when you have that kind of infrastructure it makes it a lot easier to focus on what is happening on the field and team performance.”
All at Norwich City would like to welcome Mark to the club and board of directors.