AMERICAN businessman Abdullah Ashraf has today (Tuesday) been confirmed as the new owner of Tamworth Football Club – and he is aiming to take The Lambs into the Football League.
While all focus has been on the World Cup in the USA, Tamworth has been the target of Stateside interest.
Real estate investor Ashraf, aged 24, has paid ‘a significant sum’ to take charge of the enterprise National League side through his successful US firm Dawn Group International (DGI).
He has also wasted no time in making his intentions clear.
Ashraf said: “I’m exceptionally excited and blessed to be the next custodian of Tamworth Football Club
“Previous owners Bob Andrews and Steve Lathbury have done amazingly well with the club over the past 40 years.
“Back to back promotions, the excitement of the 2024-25 FA Cup run and stabilising the club in the National League are superb achievements.
“Now it’s time to build on those successes and take the club to even greater heights, and I intend to make the dream of Tamworth playing in the EFL a reality.”
The dramatic transatlantic deal completed months of intense negotiations to reach an agreement to buy the club and gain approval by the FA, Football League and the newly formed Independent Football Regulators.
Now Ashraf is impatient to start planning for next season and promises he will be a regular at the club.
He added: “I will be very ‘hands-on’ at Tamworth and won’t be an absentee owner watching from from across the Atlantic.
“I’ll be flying over frequently to support the club and push forward my plans to advance Tamworth FC on and off the field.
“I hope to quickly become a familiar face at the stadium and fans will soon realise just how passionate I’m about our club.”
The DGI founder and CEO already owns a football club in the US, having been instrumental in the foundation of his hometown side, Oklahoma United FC.
Now, though, Ashraf’s main focus is on Tamworth and he has huge plans for The Lambs which he will unveil at a press conference on Friday.
He will also directly address fans at a celebratory FanFest at The Lamb on Saturday, which is being staged between 4-11pm.
Ashraf continued: “I see a very bright and exciting future ahead and, in my capacity as Chairman, I guarantee that I will do everything in my power to push Tamworth Football Club to new heights.
“I’ve really enjoyed attending matches and visiting the town in recent months and could not be happier as we embark upon this new chapter in the club’s history.
“Tamworth is an exceptional town with a beloved football club right at the heart of the community and we aim to keep it that way.
“So to the club’s amazing fans, players, staff and to the town, I am genuinely honoured to be going on this journey with you all.
“Together, we will bring about a new dawn for Tamworth. Come on you Lambs!”
DGI’s Executive Senior Vice President Nathan Walter says the new Tamworth chairman will bring a real drive and energy to the club.
Walter, who worked at West Bromwich Albion between 2009 and 2011, explained: “Abdullah’s passion for football is why he is among the youngest executives actively operating across both the North American and British football ecosystems.
“His work sits at the intersection of strategic finance, real asset development, and regional economic growth, positioning him as an emerging figure in the investment community and the football industry.
“His key ownership interests in Oklahoma United and now Tamworth are part of a strategic focus on sports infrastructure, club development, and long-term franchise value creation.
“It’s astonishing to think such a young businessman has accomplished so much so soon in his career and I know his ambition and tenacity will be a massive boost to Tamworth Football Club.”
Ashraf certainly has an impressive business track record which includes having acquired, disposed of, brokered, financed, and been directly involved in more than $250 million in commercial real estate transactions across the United States.
He also currently oversees a commercial real estate platform with more than $100 million in assets under management and active development.
A club spokesperson said Tamworth fans are now about to discover how that expertise and experience is going to transform their club, their team and their long-term future.
