Watford Football Club Opens Up Ownership Opportunities

Watford Football Club, in collaboration with Republic, an investment platform, is providing an opportunity for small-scale investors to acquire approximately 10% ownership of the club. The initiative aims to raise £17.5 million, with the club's total valuation set at £175 million.

European Fan Program on Seedrs

The European fan program, soon to be accessible on Seedrs, a crowdfunding platform, mirrors similar initiatives undertaken by Orange County SC in the United States and AFC Wimbledon in the United Kingdom. Fans can participate by investing a minimum of £49.76 on Seedrs or £99.52 on Republic to become co-owners of the club.

Ownership Benefits for Fans

Fans who purchase a stock will not only hold a stake in the club but also receive exclusive perks, including an owner's pin, an official certificate of ownership, and a shareable social media image. These benefits vary based on the amount invested, offering fans a proportional return on their investment.

Pioneering Initiatives by Watford

Watford demonstrated forward thinking in the realm of cryptocurrency by accepting digital currencies for payments at the stadium during a period in 2019. The club also made a statement by sporting Bitcoin-branded jerseys for a duration.

Utilization of Funds

The fresh injection of funds will be allocated towards player acquisitions, coaching, and training, with a primary focus on enhancing the performance of the club's teams, particularly the men's first team.

Fan Engagement and Investor Incentives

Established over 150 years ago, Watford FC boasts a significant history of competing in the English Premier League. Through this ownership drive, the club seeks to broaden its investor base and engage fans on a deeper level. Investors can anticipate exclusive offers and tokens as additional benefits.

Statements from Key Figures

Watford FC's Chairman and CEO, Scott Duxbury, expressed pride in pioneering the provision of ownership shares to a diverse range of investors, including fans, using digital equity. Duxbury emphasized this approach as an innovative and inclusive strategy to propel the club back to the Premier League.

Andrew Durgee, President of Republic, highlighted the significance of this digital equity offering as the largest to date in unlocking ownership shares in an English football club. Republic remains dedicated to democratizing sports ownership for both fans and professional investors.