- Darragh MacAnthony
-
Darragh MacAnthony 
Darragh MacAnthonyBorn 24 March 1976
Dublin, IrelandResidence Florida, London Occupation Entrepreneur, Football club chairman Parents Austin Macanthony Website http://www.darraghmacanthony.com Darragh MacAnthony (born 24 March 1976) is a Dublin-born football chairman and entrepreneur. The son of Austin MacAnthony, a nightclub owner,[1] MacAnthony was educated at St Mary's College, Dublin.[2] He moved to Spain with his family as a 15-year-old.[3]
Peterborough United
MacAnthony became Peterborough United chairman in 2006.
Since September 2006 MacAnthony has been chairman of Peterborough United F.C.[4] Outgoing chairman Barry Fry cited a Sky One documentary, Big Ron Manager, as a factor in attracting investment from MacAnthony.[5] Legally obliged to give first refusal to a third party (Peterborough United Holdings Ltd) in the event of a sale, Fry retained 99.8% ownership of the club, but MacAnthony gained power of attorney for the club's affairs.[6]
MacAnthony took over as chairman at Peterborough at the age of 30, making him the youngest chairman in the Football League.[7] As a sign of his ambition, a printed note from MacAnthony was added to Peterborough United's match programme in August 2007. In it, he promised fans promotion from League Two to the Championship in two seasons,[3] which was duly delivered, though the club were subsequently relegated to League One. In March 2007, Peterborough United signed a £3 million shirt sponsorship deal with MacAnthony's company MRI Overseas Property.[8] MacAnthony became owner of the club in August 2007, buying the club for a nominal £1 after taking on the club's debts.[9]
In January 2007, manager Keith Alexander was sacked and replaced by Darren Ferguson, who was at the time untried as a manager. Ferguson initially delivered big returns, delivering back-to-back promotions in his first two full seasons. Ferguson left Peterborough, by mutual consent, on 9 November 2009 after a disappointing start to the 2009-10 season.[10] AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was linked with the job, but after discussions with his chairman Eddie Mitchell it was decided that Peterborough would not be given permission to talk to Howe.[11] Peterborough were relegated in 2010.[12] In the 2010–11 season MacAnthony reappointed Darren Ferguson, and Peterborough United were once again promoted to the second tier.[13]
Business interests
MacAnthony attended a business college in London, but left after two months to sell Time-Share in Spain.[14] He formed the property group Macanthony Realty International (MRI) in 2000,[15] selling overseas holiday homes to mainly Irish and British customers. From a head office in Marbella,[2] the company offered properties in countries including the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Cyprus and the Dominican Republic,[16] with MacAnthony stating in 2005 that he gave the number of his personal mobile telephone to clients.[17] but the UK Company was liquidated in the UK 2009 as reported in the London Gazette. In 2006, MacAnthony funded a satellite TV channel, Overseas Property TV, which was presented by his younger sister.[18] and was also liquidated in 2009 leaving debts reported in the London Gazette. MacAnthony Realty International Ireland is also under receivership 2011 - Insolvency Journal Ireland.
The The Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth at £150 million in 2007, and £68 million in 2008.[19]
MacAnthony has pledged his financial support for the Helping Hands Group, a company that supports disabled people.[20]
References
- ^ "Dubliner to buy English football club". Business World. 2006-09-22.
- ^ a b Guy King (2006-04-09). "Overseas - Celtic tiger cubs doing a roaring trade". Sunday Tribune: p. 6 (property supplement).
- ^ a b Seán Kenny (2009-08-08). "Targeting serious success is part of fun factor". Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0808/1224252231395.html. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ "Fast cars, luxury homes and Tiger Woods for a neighbour, but don't call Darragh a playboy.". Financial Times Ltd. 2006-09-26. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18588573_ITM. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ^ Andy Sims (2006-09-19). "Fry hands over reins at Posh thanks to Big Ron's intervention". Liverpool Daily Post. Fry: "The documentary has created so much interest throughout the world. I have had many people flying in from France, Scotland, Portugal and Spain to come and see me wanting to help this club in sponsorship and investment. [MacAnthony] came over on August 25 and he was music to my ears because he was talking football, football, football"
- ^ Alan Fraser (2007-03-31). "A story of Posh dosh, Dublin life and coffee with Tiger". Daily Mail: p. 119.
- ^ Simon Carter (2006-10-06). "Brightwell is ready to show his credentials". Manchester Evening News: p. 82.
- ^ Nick Townsend (2007-03-04). "Not only Posh but with the money to make it work; League of their own. How an Irish property magnate from Spain wants Peterborough to be the next Wigan". Independent on Sunday: p. 82.
- ^ Ciarán Hancock (2007-08-14). "Multimillionaire buys football team for £1". Irish Times: p. 17.
- ^ Kempson, Russell (2009-11-09). "Peterborough United 'dismiss' Darren Ferguson". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6910065.ece. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
- ^ "Posh look for Swift appointment". BBC. 2009-11-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/8354912.stm. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ "Peterborough United relegated from Championship after draw at Barnsley". The Guardian. 5 April 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/05/peterborough-united-relegated-from-championship. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ "Manager Ferguson wants new blood at Peterborough United". BBC. 30 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13594468.stm. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ Patrick Barclay (2006-12-17). "If I had £450m, I'd buy Liverpool' Why an Irish tycoon is pursuing his Premiership dream at not-so-posh Peterborough". Sunday Telegraph: p. 8 (Sport section).
- ^ "Dublin real estate tycoon to buy Peterborough Utd". Irish Independent. 2006-09-21. http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/dublin-real-estate-tycoon-to-buy-peterborough-utd-79243.html. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ "Finding the right place in the sun". Aberdeen Press and Journal: p. 10. 2005-02-17.
- ^ "Make a dream reality". Aberdeen Press and Journal: p. 16. 2005-02-17.
- ^ Eve McGowan (2006-10-22). "The mogul of property TV ... at only 26". Mail on Sunday: p. 13 (Property section).
- ^ "Darragh in 2008 Rich List". Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 2008-04-28. http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Darragh-in-2008-rich-list.4025114.jp. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ http://www.thehelpinghandsgroup.org.uk/#/darragh-macanthony/4543533893
Categories:- 1976 births
- People from County Dublin
- Living people
- Irish businesspeople
- English football chairmen and investors
- Peterborough United F.C.
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