Shrewsbury takeover clears Scottish FA dual-interest hurdle

The American consortium seeking to buy Shrewsbury Town has cleared another regulatory stage after the Scottish Football Association approved its interests in both the English club and Spartans. BBC Sport reported the development on October 6, while Spartans confirmed the decision in a club statement. The approval does not mean the Shrewsbury takeover has been completed.

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Scott Davidson, Spartans' lead shareholder, heads the group pursuing the League Two club. The consortium also includes Will Dotson, Craig Graham and former Liverpool, Tottenham and Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel, according to BBC Sport. Davidson already holds a majority stake in Spartans, who play in Scottish League Two, and Dotson and Graham are involved with that club as well.

Spartans said the Scottish FA's decision covered the interests arising from the proposed acquisition and the appointments of Davidson, Dotson and Graham as directors of both clubs. Its statement described most of the regulatory work as complete and said further updates would follow when possible. It did not announce that the transaction had closed or give a completion date.

The Scottish approval follows earlier checks in England. BBC Sport reported that the prospective buyers had already passed due-diligence and financial assessments set by the English Football League and the Independent Football Regulator. The latest decision addresses the consortium members' involvement at Spartans alongside their proposed roles at Shrewsbury, adding to the approvals already secured during the takeover process.

Shrewsbury chairman Roland Wycherley put the club up for sale in 2024, but earlier attempts to find a buyer did not produce a completed deal. According to the BBC, talks with an American buyer collapsed in March 2025, and another bid from a different party failed six months later. Negotiations with Davidson's group have now been under way for six months.

The BBC reported hopes that the sale could be finalised before Christmas, rather than a confirmed deadline. Completion would end Wycherley's 30 years as owner. The 85-year-old has also cautioned that patience will be needed after new owners take charge. For now, the confirmed development is regulatory progress, with the eventual transfer of ownership still awaiting completion.