Phil Hodgkinson purchases 75% stake in Huddersfield Town from Dean Hoyle
Huddersfield have announced that a commercial agreement is in place for the sale of the club to lifelong supporter Phil Hodgkinson.
Sunday's Premier League fixture with Manchester United will therefore be Dean Hoyle's last as chairman, with the club's takeover subject to approval from the football authorities.
Hodgkinson is to succeed Hoyle after the latter's largely successful 10-year reign, in which the club spent two years in the Premier League before the recent confirmation of their relegation back to the Sky Bet Championship.
He will take a 75 per cent controlling ownership, with Hoyle retaining a minority stake and remaining on Huddersfield's board of directors.
In a statement on the Huddersfield club website, Hoyle said: "My heart doesn’t want me to sell the Club and I believe the Manchester United game will probably be the most emotional day of my life.
"However, my head is telling me that, after 10 years of total dedication and my recent ill health, I need to do what is right for myself, my family and Huddersfield Town and that is pass the reins to a new Chairman who can take our Club to a new chapter in its history.
🗣️ Hoyle: "My heart doesn’t want me to sell the Club.
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) May 3, 2019
"However, my head is telling me that, after 10 years of total dedication and my recent ill health, I need to do what is right for myself, my family and #htafc."
➡️ https://t.co/3mPFPaOPmD (AT) pic.twitter.com/4cvZXmf3O4
"I have run a full sales process and there was serious interest in the Club from around the world. Appointing the correct successor is as important to me and my legacy as everything else I have achieved.
"I have chosen Phil not just because he is an astute business man with strong desire and determination to succeed, but because as ‘one of our own’ he will always have the Club’s best interests at heart. He’s a Town fan and he really gets what this Club is all about.
"I still cannot believe that my time as Chairman is coming to an end. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every single Huddersfield Town fan for their incredible support of my family and me during the last decade. We’ve had an unbelievable time together with the Club, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
"I’d also like to thank every member of staff at the Club, in particular my Board of Directors. We have some amazing people behind-the-scenes who have dedicated their lives to Huddersfield Town and I know their dedication and skill will be a big asset to Phil moving forwards."
Phil Hodgkinson added: "I will be delighted and proud to be able to take the position as the new Chairman of Huddersfield Town. As a lifelong Town supporter, it will be a special day for me and my family.
"I must thank Dean Hoyle, not just for the way he’s conducted himself throughout this process but for what he has done for the Club over the past decade. He’s totally re-engaged the supporter base and has made elite football available to the masses.
"In football, I believe it’s incredibly rare to have that scenario when you arrive as a new Chairman.
"Dean’s continued support and counsel will be invaluable to me as we move forward into the new season and beyond.
"Huddersfield Town is in my blood and has always been one of my greatest passions. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to take this Club forward.
"My number one priority is to give every support I can to Jan Siewert in order to make us as good as we can be on the pitch. Our aim is to get back to winning football matches and to put smiles back on the faces of our supporters after a tough season.
"The Club has got a very busy summer ahead of it, for sure, but I will be a hands-on owner and fully focused on trying to ensure we get the best start possible to next season."
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