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Mark Palios, former FA chief executive, becomes new owner at Tranmere Mark Palios, former FA chief executive, becomes new owner at Tranmere
(about 1 hour later)
The former FA chief executive Mark Palios has become the new owner of Tranmere after taking a controlling interest in the club. The former FA chief executive Mark Palios has become the new owner of Tranmere Rovers after taking a controlling interest in the club. Palios – a former Rovers player – and his wife Nicola have reached an agreement with the current owner, Peter Johnson, the League Two club announced on their website.
Palios – a former Rovers player – and his wife Nicola have reached an agreement with the current owner Peter Johnson, the League Two club announced on their website.
With over 280 appearances for the club to his name, Mark Palios has long been linked with Tranmere and will take up the role of executive chairman, with Nicola Palios being installed as vice-chairman. Johnson will remain in position at Prenton Park, taking up the roles of shareholder, director and honorary president.With over 280 appearances for the club to his name, Mark Palios has long been linked with Tranmere and will take up the role of executive chairman, with Nicola Palios being installed as vice-chairman. Johnson will remain in position at Prenton Park, taking up the roles of shareholder, director and honorary president.
“I have been looking for a safe pair of hands to ensure the club’s future,” Johnson said. “In Mark and Nicola I have found that. As a local lad who played for the club, and a former chief executive of the FA with a successful commercial track record, Mark is uniquely placed to help lead Tranmere to a bright future. Nicola is an accomplished lawyer and businesswoman.”“I have been looking for a safe pair of hands to ensure the club’s future,” Johnson said. “In Mark and Nicola I have found that. As a local lad who played for the club, and a former chief executive of the FA with a successful commercial track record, Mark is uniquely placed to help lead Tranmere to a bright future. Nicola is an accomplished lawyer and businesswoman.”
The move gives a nod to change after 17 years of Johnson being in charge, having bought the club out of administration in 1987. Rovers visited Wembley five times during his reign and narrowly lost the 2000 League Cup final to Leicester. The move gives a nod to change after 27 years of Johnson being in charge, having bought the club out of administration in 1987. Rovers visited Wembley five times during his reign and narrowly lost the 2000 League Cup final to Leicester.
Mark Palios is better known for his time at the head of the FA, with an eventful year in office ending amid stories about his personal life. During his time in charge he oversaw the banning of Rio Ferdinand for not attending a drugs test, which threatened to cause a mutiny in the England squad.Mark Palios is better known for his time at the head of the FA, with an eventful year in office ending amid stories about his personal life. During his time in charge he oversaw the banning of Rio Ferdinand for not attending a drugs test, which threatened to cause a mutiny in the England squad.
Born in Liverpool, the 61-year-old knows what is needed in his new role. He said: “We are both aware of what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to become involved with this club, but it is important that we pay tribute to the support that Peter Johnson has given over many years. All Tranmere fans are well aware of his massive contribution to the club, a support that is ongoing, and in order to mark his dedication and support we will be consulting with our fans on the best way to do that.Born in Liverpool, the 61-year-old knows what is needed in his new role. He said: “We are both aware of what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to become involved with this club, but it is important that we pay tribute to the support that Peter Johnson has given over many years. All Tranmere fans are well aware of his massive contribution to the club, a support that is ongoing, and in order to mark his dedication and support we will be consulting with our fans on the best way to do that.
“There is a big job to be done to get the club back in the higher divisions and get the facilities back up to scratch. In the coming weeks and months we will share with you our plans on how we intend to make it happen.“There is a big job to be done to get the club back in the higher divisions and get the facilities back up to scratch. In the coming weeks and months we will share with you our plans on how we intend to make it happen.
“We have no illusions about the difficult environment in which lower league clubs operate but we have exciting ideas to ensure Tranmere thrives in the future as a successful and vibrant community club which is capable of sustaining itself without being reliant on a benefactor.”“We have no illusions about the difficult environment in which lower league clubs operate but we have exciting ideas to ensure Tranmere thrives in the future as a successful and vibrant community club which is capable of sustaining itself without being reliant on a benefactor.”
Tranmere are just starting their first season back in the bottom tier and drew 1-1 with York on Saturday.Tranmere are just starting their first season back in the bottom tier and drew 1-1 with York on Saturday.