One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson buys boyhood club Doncaster Rovers
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One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has completed a deal to take over League One club Doncaster Rovers alongside former chairman John Ryan.
Doncaster-born Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of his hometown club and turned out for their reserves against Barnsley earlier this year.
Now the 22-year-old has gone a step further by assuming co-ownership alongside Ryan after contracts were finalised on Tuesday.
"Although I'm young, I am very ambitious and I really want this club to succeed," Tomlinson told the club's website.
"All that's in it for me is to be a part of something great and I think we can really do that here at Doncaster Rovers.
"Doncaster is a footballing town and it would be great to continue that feeling throughout the town."
However, Ryan is likely to be the more actively involved with the administration of the club than Tomlinson, with the 64-year-old cosmetic surgery magnate having been chairman of the club for several years prior to stepping down last November.
The boyband sensation added: "Me and John have talked a lot about the football club, he's a very successful business man. We have a good relationship and I think it will be a great partnership."
Tomlinson has followed in the footsteps of celebrity football club owners such as Sir Elton John, who became chairman and director of Watford in 1976, and Delia Smith, who is the majority shareholder in Norwich City.
He said: "This is a massive step for me. I want to keep my feet on the ground but I'm really excited and just want the club to succeed."
The new owners then launched a crowdfunding campaign on www.crowdfunder.co.uk/trust, hoping to attract £2 million to support their ambitions for the team.
Tomlinson explained: "For me, this is all about the football, the community and restoring the excitement and desire to making Doncaster Rovers the most exciting club to play for in Yorkshire.
"I want to see the Doncaster Rovers supporters get the club the success it deserves. I grew up in Doncaster and have felt the love for football run through the town, it's for that reason that I have a real personal passion to make Doncaster Rovers a success story.
"This is a big step which I believe will open up opportunities to provide a very, very exciting future for the club and its supporters."
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| English League One club Doncaster Rovers are heading in One Direction Photo: Getty Images |
Doncaster-born Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of his hometown club and turned out for their reserves against Barnsley earlier this year.
Now the 22-year-old has gone a step further by assuming co-ownership alongside Ryan after contracts were finalised on Tuesday.
"Although I'm young, I am very ambitious and I really want this club to succeed," Tomlinson told the club's website.
"All that's in it for me is to be a part of something great and I think we can really do that here at Doncaster Rovers.
"Doncaster is a footballing town and it would be great to continue that feeling throughout the town."
However, Ryan is likely to be the more actively involved with the administration of the club than Tomlinson, with the 64-year-old cosmetic surgery magnate having been chairman of the club for several years prior to stepping down last November.
The boyband sensation added: "Me and John have talked a lot about the football club, he's a very successful business man. We have a good relationship and I think it will be a great partnership."
Tomlinson has followed in the footsteps of celebrity football club owners such as Sir Elton John, who became chairman and director of Watford in 1976, and Delia Smith, who is the majority shareholder in Norwich City.
He said: "This is a massive step for me. I want to keep my feet on the ground but I'm really excited and just want the club to succeed."
The new owners then launched a crowdfunding campaign on www.crowdfunder.co.uk/trust, hoping to attract £2 million to support their ambitions for the team.
Tomlinson explained: "For me, this is all about the football, the community and restoring the excitement and desire to making Doncaster Rovers the most exciting club to play for in Yorkshire.
"I want to see the Doncaster Rovers supporters get the club the success it deserves. I grew up in Doncaster and have felt the love for football run through the town, it's for that reason that I have a real personal passion to make Doncaster Rovers a success story.
"This is a big step which I believe will open up opportunities to provide a very, very exciting future for the club and its supporters."
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