We are delighted to announce a new appointment to the Board of Directors at Sutton United FC Ltd.
Gary Otto, a South African born lifelong football fan, real estate developer and owner of ACV Sports Ventures, a Los Angeles based investment company, has joined the team having purchased shares in the Football Club and brings a wealth of experience and business expertise to the club as we look to continue our development both on and off the pitch. ACV Sports Ventures becomes Sutton United's second major corporate shareholder since MBuzzSport's arrival in December 2017.
“Growing up in South Africa, I was exposed to English Football at a very early age and this passion followed me to the USA when I moved in 1986”, states Gary. “ To be able to be a part of such an historic and storied club as Sutton United is a very proud and humbling moment for me. Ironically, I grew up a Leeds United fan, recall that first meeting in the FA Cup at Gander Green Lane over forty years ago and, of course, the amazing giant-killing feat of 2017, a simply wonderful story which captured people's imagination right across the globe."
"Our advisors on this partnership, HSE Sport, are headed by Gary Hopkins, who is a lifelong Coventry City supporter; he stood on the Collingwood Road terraces on that extraordinary day in 1989 when his beloved Sky Blues suffered at the hands of Sutton in the FA Cup so we are both fully aware of the history and respect which Sutton United commands in the English game. If you can't beat them, join them we agreed!
While I've been invited to join the Board at Sutton, Gary H will also be very much part of the team as we look to help this wonderful Football Club continue to grow.Our extensive due diligence has shown what an exceptionally well-run club it is at all levels, with truly committed, high quality people involved in running it. We love the fact that Sutton United is a fans-owned community club running numerous youth, disability, Women's and girls' teams as well as a highly successful Academy. We couldn't be prouder to help deliver investment and expertise to help the club continue to move forward.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dave Farebrother, said: “ We are delighted to welcome Gary to Sutton United and look forward to having him on board. We have got to know both Gary O and Gary H very well during 2020 through frequent and significant discussions and we're very pleased that the time is now right for them to become involved. They are both “football people” through and through and it has been an absolute pleasure talking to them over the past few months about the club and, quite often, just about football in general.
They bring a wide knowledge of the game to the party and have an intuitive understanding of Sutton United's ethos and what it stands for in our local community. As Bruce likes to say, “you can never have enough help”, and as we continue this club's exciting journey, they will add to what we have seen MBuzzSport bring over recent years, namely a wealth of experience and business expertise to the table as we all look to continue on that journey together.”