Ali Pour has declared his "long term" commitment to Glentoran and insists he is "only getting warmed up" in his bid to return the East Belfast club to the summit of Irish League football.
The British-Iranian businessman, who fronted a high profile takeover of the Big Two giants in 2019, also believes the Danske Bank Premiership has a “massive future”.
In an exclusive interview with Belfast Live - and his first as Glentoran owner - Pour reveals how he overcame initial reservations to become the financial figurehead of an Irish League club.
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He also addresses Glentoran’s ‘big money’ image, his hopes for the future and his role in approving Glentoran’s £120,000 signing of Shay McCartan from Ballymena United in August.
“I leave the football side to Mick (McDermott) and the board,” said Pour. “That runs itself, but of course they would approach me when it comes to big decisions.
“They did come to me about the Shay McCartan deal. They told me they wanted to sign the player and I said ‘well, if you think he is that good and strengthens us, go for it’.”
While some have balked at the finances now swilling around the Irish League - Lee Bonis also joined Larne for a reported £100,000 in January - Pour said: “I think it is a positive development.
“New transfer fee records are being set here and I believe it is a positive for football in Northern Ireland because the money is staying in the local game.
“Where is the money going? We’re not signing players from Brazil, we’re buying players from within the league and that means the money stays here and helps other clubs.”
Pour freely admits he had reservations when first approached to become Glentoran's majority shareholder three years ago.
“I initially said ‘no way’,” he said. “I had a few chats with Mick on the phone and he was saying ‘come over’ and at first I said ‘no thank you’.
“But when I came over and met the guys and saw Glentoran close up, I saw the potential here. The beauty of the club for me is that it has a real ecosystem of people invested in Glentoran.
“Yes, I am the investor, but you also have Mick and Paul Millar - who are doing a great job - the management, coaching staff, board, players, volunteers and our fan base.
“Each of those elements is an asset and without each other, it wouldn’t work. Each of those has to be really strong for Glentoran to succeed and progress in the years ahead."
So, no regrets almost three years on from spearheading a takeover that heralded a new era at the Oval when it was concluded in July 2019?
"No," he replied. "None whatsoever. I actually feel as if I’m just warming up and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 10 years bring.”
Pressed on that “10 years” comment, Pour, who is based in Dubai and London, was asked if he envisages being part of the Glentoran story for at least another decade.
“At least,” he said. “If you do something, you do it properly and that’s what I’m focused on. That's why I'm here for the long term.
“I have enjoyed my experience here so far and I have major plans to invest further in Glentoran over the coming years.
"I know it will take time to get to where we really want to be and that's why I am in this for the long term."
Prior to Pour’s arrival in East Belfast, the Glens were wrestling with financial concerns and resigned to battling it out in the bottom six of the Danske Bank Premiership.
Fast forward three years and the Big Two giants are in the midst of a title race with derby rivals Linfield and Paddy McLaughlin’s Cliftonville.
They can also reflect on an Irish Cup success in 2020 - their first major trophy in five years - and European qualification in 2020 and 2021.
"There has been an obvious turnaround and you can see it," said Pour. "That isn’t subjective, it is a fact and those facts speak for themselves. We are making real progress.
“I’m pleased with what we have done in under three years. We had a plan to stabilise the club in year one, pay off debts and ensure there were no financial issues.
“Year two was about targeting silverware and year three was then about challenging for the league title.
“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on football was an added complication, but we’re not too far off where we wanted to be.
“The aim is to get Glentoran back to winning major trophies again and I see no reason why we can’t. We have one of the best squads in Ireland.”
Pour, who attended last Sunday’s dramatic BetMcLean League Cup final between Cliftonville and Coleraine at Windsor Park, believes the Irish League is in a positive place.
And he is confident the eventual release of the Sub Regional Stadia fund will improve local facilities and help attract more fans to games.
Part of the original £36m package promised by the Northern Ireland Executive for local stadia had earmarked £10m for Glentoran to redevelop the BetMcLean Oval.
“We have to attract more spectators and I’m sure other clubs are thinking the same,” he said.
“The Oval has a rich history but if we’re being honest, it is pretty rundown at the moment due to its age. Imagine if we had improved facilities? It would attract more families and attendances would grow.
“Fans are the lifeblood of football and the growth in our fan base has been exceptional. We are the fastest growing fan base in Northern Ireland for many reasons and the supporters have been superb”
Praising the Northern Ireland Football League, Pour said: “There is massive potential here and a lot of credit has to go to NIFL for their drive and desire to move things forward.
“The league has really picked up and improved a lot over the last number of years. There’s still a lot of work to be done, of course, but I do see further growth in the game.”
Pour was impressed by the "fantastic spectacle" of Sunday's League Cup final which he attended with Glens boss McDermott.
“It was the first time I’ve really enjoyed watching a game in Belfast because Glentoran weren’t playing and there were no nerves!" he said.
“I could have a glass of wine and relax. You never know what’s going to happen in Irish League football and it was a great game played in front of a great atmosphere.
“It was also great to meet so many members of the ‘football family’, including senior members of the Irish FA, other clubs and also the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
“The spectacle of the final and the fact 11,000 supporters were there to watch such a dramatic game clearly shows that the future can be massive for local football. It's exciting to be a part of that."
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