Bristol Rovers taken over by Jordanian Al-Qadi family

In news announced today via Bristol Rovers’ official Twitter feed (see Tweet – below), The Pirates have been officially taken over, with an official unveiling underway at this moment, according to the Bristol Post.

The Bristol Post further report that Rovers chairman Nick Higgs had been involved in negotiations with the soon-to-be new owners the Al-Qadi family since the the autumn and a complete takover has been agreed in a move that will see all existing directors step down from the positions they currently hold.

The above Tweet was what set off the news of Rovers’ aquisition by the Jordanian Al-Qadi family headed by Abdulkadir Abdullah Al-Qadi, the founding chairman of the Aran Jordan Investment Bank (AJIB), an institution that he founded in 1978.

The Bristol Post report that Abdulkadir Abdullah Al-Qadi has three sons and further say that “it will be his youngest, Wael, who will act as the face of the family,” with the business of running a football club largely alien to them.

The aforementioned Wael Al-Qadi has some degree of football experience, with him being a core member in the team that had Prince Ali bin Al Hussein successfully elected as FIFA vice-president in 2011. He is also vice-president of the Asian Development Football Foundation and has also held a position on the merketing committee of Jordan’s national Football Association.

According to a Bristol Post live blog, which has just been concluded, the following things have been learned about the Al-Qadi family takeover of Rovers.

Events emerging from the live blog:

13.29: Bristol Rovers have confirmed that they have been taken over by the Jordanian Al-Qadi family. Wael Al-Qadi will become preident at the club. The family have taken a 92 per cent shareholding in the League Two club. Former Swansea City chairman Steve Hamer is Rovers’ new chairman, with Nick Higgs standing down.

13:32: Higgs: Always tinged with level of sadness (to leave) but it’s a fantastic opportuntiy for club. We’re custodians and this is opportunity we couldn’t lose for club. Tinge of sadness but also excitement for what future holds.

13:37: Higgs: Always tinged with level of sadness (to leave) but it’s a fantastic opportuntiy for club. We’re custodians and this is opportunity we couldn’t lose for club. Tinge of sadness but also excitement for what future holds.

13:39: Al-Qadi confirms he and his family looked at other clubs in Leagues One and Two. “The fan-base here is what swayed it.”

13:48: Hamer: “We’re not freshmen. We’re not rookies. We’ve been in this game a long time and know what to expect.”

Three quotations from the press conference

Wael Al-Qadi also indicated in the live blog that there will be a new stadium when certain precursors and conitions are addressed. Speaking on this, he said, “”Buying the club, you know what is required – and this club needs a new stadium. [The legal case] has to be sorted and finished before thinking of new stadium. Once everything is in order and ready, the stadium has to be done for this club.”

Also, other things that Wael Al-Qadi said may prove to be a slave for any doubtful fans about the nature of the acquisition of the club with the new Rovers president saying, “I’m a football fan. This is not about buying something and selling it off. I’ll try to get to every home game. I’ll be here as much as I can.”

Outgoing chairman Nick Higgs paid tribute to the incoming owners saying, “I sincerely believe that Bristol Rovers can count itself as being very fortunate to attract the interest of Mr Al-Qadi and his family.”

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