Following the FA’s fine on 4 February 2011, troubled Conference League South team St Albans City Football Club has been sold for an undisclosed sum to two local businessmen: Lawrence Levy and John McGowan.
Well known locally for his love of football Lawrence said “We are delighted to have bought St Albans City Football Club from John Gibson and are really looking forward to re-building it with the support of the fans and the local community. John McGowan and I have big plans for the future and believe that The Saints will once again be the club that St Albans deserves. We would like to thank John Gibson and to pay tribute to him for all his hard work and enthusiasm for the club over the last nine years. We also look forward to drawing a line under the recent history and taking the club forward.”
John McGowan added “Lawrence and I are here for the long term and we are investing in the future of the club. We want to work with the supporters and will be talking to them over the coming weeks and months to ensure that they are happy with the changes. But we will also be talking to schools and local businesses to get them involved.”
The club played in the Conference South league in 2010-2011 Season. For further details on the club see www.sacfc.co.uk.
The FA fined St. Albans £7,500 on 4 February 2011 and deducted 10 league points.
The punishment was in relation to alleged illegal payments to players, described by the FA as financial irregularities, by the club during the 2008-09 season. St. Albans appealed, but the original decision was upheld.