A new chapter has begun at St Johnstone Football Club after their US takeover was confirmed.
Adam Webb has taken over from the Brown family, ending the local house builders 38-year association with the McDiarmid Park outfit.
In a lengthy address, Webb, who is an American lawyer, paid tribute to his predecessors before outlining some ambitious plans, which include attracting more fans through the turnstiles and competing regularly in European competitions.
"I am delighted to confirm that we have now completed the purchase of the controlling interest in St Johnstone FC," Webb said in a club statement.
"After 140 years, the St Johnstone story begins a new chapter. Rest assured I will work tirelessly to make sure this is a chapter about values, integrity, success on the pitch, excitement in the stands and service to the community.
"First, a note of gratitude. We must all thank Geoff Brown for his 38 years of tireless and successful service to the club. If you want to understand steady, sustainable football leadership, you need only study Geoff’s tenure at St Johnstone.
"I am honoured that Geoff found me to be a worthy custodian for the club’s next chapter and supporters should take comfort knowing that Geoff has agreed to continue advising me in the years ahead. I am looking forward to attending the first game of the season with Geoff on July 13.
"Thanks also to Steve Brown - who led the Saints as chairman during 12 amazing years, including the historic cup double - for his warm welcome to the Saints family. Steve has also graciously agreed to be a resource as we move forward.
"Another huge thanks to Stan Harris, who has agreed to continue his service as chairman during this transitional period. Stan is a true servant-leader who has never taken any pay from the club despite working full-time as our CEO for the past year.
"And a final thanks to you the supporters, to the players, coaches and all staff and employees of the club for the generous welcome you have shown to me and my associates. Your optimism for the future of the club inspires us.
Read more:
- Scotland cult hero Andy Considine announces retirement from football
- Steve Clarke deserves criticism – but not over Ryan Gauld
"St Johnstone has been in the top tier for 16 straight seasons now so, historically speaking, the club is in a good position. But, in order to survive at this level, we have to grow the club. That is our predominant goal as owners.
"We need to attract new fans, we need existing fans to become more engaged and we need more commercial sponsors in order to increase our playing budget and remain competitive in the Premiership. So we have to make changes to improve all aspects of the club in the coming years.
"Such changes, however, will be undertaken only after engagement and consultation with supporters. I have already met with supporters once via Zoom and I look forward to doing so again in person.
"I will be as open and transparent as possible about our goals and plans by providing regular updates and being up front and realistic about our successes and failures. Please make sure you are signed up to our weekly newsletter so you can easily keep up with Saints news.
"The essential element toward growing the club will be playing competitive and exciting football. Craig, Andy and Gus have signed a dynamic group of players. We, as owners, have to give the coaches the necessary tools to work with.
"In the coming years, our goal will be to gradually and sustainably increase the player budget. We will also improve the training facilities, changing rooms, gym, physio areas and technology. These enhancements will aid recruitment and performance.
"Of course, supporters also have a role in making St Johnstone a more attractive club to play for, by taking advantage of all things Saints: attending games, celebrating effort and results, buying and wearing Saints gear and supporting the club’s community efforts. We’re all in this together.
"Our ambition is to finish in the top six, compete in Europe and do well in cup competitions year-after-year. This is possible, but it will take time. Working relentlessly together, we will take one step each day and advance the club. With your patience and support, our goals are achievable.
Read more:
- Why former Celtic star would rather Euro success than another Treble
- Thelin delighted with Aberdeen squad after Portugal pre-season camp
"It is also important that we continue to build on the progress being made at the women’s team and our youth academy. I look forward to working closely with both areas of the club in the coming months.
"As owners, we pledge to improve the matchday experience by improving McDiarmid Park. Initial planned projects include resurfacing the car park, expanding hospitality areas and adding an elevator for better access. We will also work to improve the festive atmosphere at McDiarmid. Your ideas are welcome.
"In fact, we would like to hear from you with any thoughts for improvements at the club. Please email Ideas@PerthSaints.co.uk with your suggestions. I have asked that all serious ideas be forwarded to me.
"In today’s digital and social media age, expanding our reach to all potential fans, wherever they are, is more important than ever before. A priority of our ownership will be to make more and better use of digital and social media channels. The club website, Saints TV and the existing socials are excellent, but we must do more.
"We need independent YouTubers, podcasters and social media influencers to tell the Saints story which will only happen if we provide dynamic content both on and off the pitch.
"Last, but certainly not least, we are honoured to continue the extraordinary community service efforts led by Francis Smith at the St Johnstone Community Trust. The Trust will be energised even further in the coming years based on Geoff Brown’s incredible contribution of all of the net proceeds of this transaction for the development of a community hub facility, which we anticipate will be adjacent to McDiarmid Park.
"Everything we do on and off the pitch must have a higher purpose - and our primary purpose is serving Perth and the surrounding communities.
"I look forward to seeing you at a cup game in July or a league game in August. In the meantime, please do your part to support the club, whether buying a season ticket, attending cup games or buying our very attractive new kits (a great gift for the whole family).
"I can’t promise a cup final or European qualification this season, but I can promise that we will be working every day to make St Johnstone a club that you are proud to support.
"Please help us build something special for this community. We will not complete the task in a month or even a year but, with your positive energy and support, we will get the job done."
Read more:
- Motherwell begin crucial shareholder vote on proposed takeover
- Celtic midfield star Reo Hatate eyeing move to top European league
While an open letter to supporters from former chairman Geoff Brown, upon completion of the sale of his controlling interest in St Johnstone FC, said: "I am delighted to confirm the completion of the sale of my controlling interest in St Johnstone Football Club to Adam Webb.
"Since I announced the plans to sell my shareholding back in December 2022 we have had a number of interested suitors and a lot of discussions and negotiations have taken place during the last year-and-a-half as we looked to secure the best way forward for the club.
"First and foremost, it was, and is, incredibly important to me that the club is handed over to the right person. Someone who will act as a suitable custodian whilst taking the club forward, continuing the good work that I feel has been done up until now. I strongly believe that we have found that person in Adam.
"In all of my interactions with Adam, I find him to be a man of high integrity and I consider that he has the best interests of the club at heart. I am confident that everyone connected to the club will discover this for themselves over the coming weeks, months and years.
"As I look back on my 38 years as majority shareholder of the club, I do so with a lot of pride. As most will know I took on a football club back in 1986 that was in a precarious financial position, operating in a run-down stadium at Muirton Park whilst languishing towards the depths of Scottish football.
"It hasn’t been easy, but it has been a labour of love and I am immensely proud that I am now handing over a football club that is in a stable financial position, particularly against a backdrop that has been challenging at times, as has been witnessed by the number of other clubs that have ended up in financial trouble - and occasionally in administration - during my time within Scottish football.
"I know that some of the decisions taken over the decades may not have been popular at the time but the one thing I can guarantee is that all decisions taken have always been done with a view to it being in the best interests of the club and in an effort to ensure that the club remained viable, and there for all to support and enjoy.
"There are a lot of people to acknowledge that have contributed greatly to this journey we have all been on but, as that list numbers into the hundreds, if not thousands, and as I’d fear that I’d miss someone out, I would primarily like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of my various fellow directors, club officials, all staff and club volunteers over the decades.
"I’ve also been fortunate to have a countless number of good managers and players at the club over the years and they’ve all had an important part to play in the St Johnstone story and, again, I thank all that have been involved in any shape or form over my tenure.
Read more:
- Emma Raducanu knows mixed doubles withdrawal left Andy Murray disappointed
- Carlos Alcaraz backs Emma Raducanu amid Wimbledon mixed doubles controversy
"To the fans, thank you for the support that you have shown to me and my family over the best part of four decades. It hasn’t been easy on any of us at various points during that time but we have stuck together and I trust that we have made some great memories along the way.
"I would like to acknowledge the love and support of my own family, particularly my wife Joyce, over the years, with the commitment required to be as involved as I was within Scottish football being all-consuming at times. Their patience and understanding have been much-needed and very much appreciated.
"It would also be remiss of me not to mention my son, Steve, for both his invaluable assistance in getting this transaction with Adam concluded and also, of course, for the hard work during his 11 years as chairman of the club. It was during this time that we experienced unparalleled success, with countless ventures into European competition and, most memorably, with us winning three major cup competitions over that span, providing memories that I’m sure no-one connected to the club will ever forget.
"My other children, Stuart, Scott and Susan have also all helped out greatly in various roles within the club over many years, from working the kiosks, to assisting with the younger players to hosting in the boardroom. My father, Charlie, too was an integral figure at McDiarmid Park and helped with stacking up the bars and was also a doorman at the ground on match days from 1989 until he could no longer manage, ultimately passing in 2013 at the age of 97. It really has been a true Broons family affair!
"Steve and I will remain available to Adam as a resource should we ever be required and we look forward to continuing to support the club from the outside and are excited about what the future holds under Adam’s stewardship.
"I also look forward to getting to work on the creation of the Community Hub from the net proceeds of this sale and I firmly believe that this will be of great benefit to both the football club and the local community, for generations to come.
"Thank you again to all who have helped along the way since I took the club on all those years ago and I look forward to seeing you all at McDiarmid Park before too long.
"Come on you Saints. Geoff."
