NEW Athlone Town owner Nick Giannotti has vowed not to be an absentee landlord.
The American Plymouth Argyle director has taken over the Midlands club through his club Redball Energy.
There has been significant upheaval and uncertainty at Athlone since another USA-based venture, Valeo, cut off its funding at the end of last season.
But, in an open letter on the club’s website, Giannotti – who oversaw the appointment of Ian Ryan as manager last month – laid out his credentials.
Giannott said: “As I have yet to spend a significant amount of time on the ground with the Club and in the community, getting to know all of you, please afford me the opportunity to introduce myself briefly.
“Many of you may be skeptical, as I am not local to Athlone, but I can assure you that I am not just another disconnected, non-Irish owner.
“I was born and raised in San Diego, California, where I grew up playing football for a club called the Nomads and won three national championships.
“As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to spend two summers in the Northwest of England playing with the team, witnessing firsthand the significance of football to local communities.
“My father immigrated to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island. His story echoes that of so many Irish families who made a new life abroad.
“My wife, whose roots trace back to Cork, also studied at university in Dublin. Together, we have two young children, and our family is proud to now become part of the Athlone community.
“Professionally, I co-founded Redball Energy, a solar company I’ve had the privilege to lead for over 15 years.
“More recently, I’ve had the chance to merge my professional skills and personal passion by serving as a Director and minority shareholder of Plymouth Argyle FC.
“Football is a lifelong passion of mine, and it is with that same energy, respect, and drive that I come to Athlone.
“While I am not from Ireland, I know how much this club means to its supporters and its town. I understand the responsibility of this role.
“Please know that I am not here to change Athlone’s identity. I aim to honour it, to protect it, and to grow it alongside all of you.”
Athlone’s men’s team are rooted to the foot of the First Division whilst their women’s team are preparing for a Champions League qualifier against Cardiff City.
And he vowed there are better times ahead for the club as a whole.
He said: “There are many things that my team and I intend to do, but our vision is rooted in two principles: driving excellence and financial sustainability.
“We will invest in the club’s infrastructure, our players, and our staff.
“We will work tirelessly to build financial stability, sustainability, and increase revenue streams, enabling our teams to succeed on the pitch.
“We will become a club that nurtures and showcases young talent, both from Ireland and beyond, guided by data, smart recruitment, and a relentless commitment to improvement, both on and off the pitch.”
