Nicola Richards, the Conservative MP for West Bromwich East, has announced her endorsement of the West Brom takeover discussions. Her decision comes after actively participating in the Action For Albion protest group, where she campaigned for an independent regulator in English football. Richards expressed her commitment to supporting the upcoming legislation in parliament, highlighting her collaboration with Action For Albion and shareholders on Twitter.
Great to work with @action4albion and shareholders to campaign for the regulator of English football. I'll be supporting the legislation when it comes to Parliament next year, and supporting a takeover of the club alongside @andy4wm so we can safeguard our long-term future. pic.twitter.com/ms6fXKGJBb
— Nicola Richards MP (@nicolafrichards) December 29, 2023
In her tweet on December 29, Richards stated, “Great to work with Action For Albion and shareholders to campaign for the regulator of English football. I’ll be supporting the legislation when it comes to Parliament next year, and supporting a takeover of the club alongside Andy Street so we can safeguard our long-term future.”
To ensure the club’s sustained viability, Richards asserted that she and Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, would jointly back the West Brom takeover. Given the ongoing talks regarding the complete acquisition of the club, the involvement of Richards and Street is anticipated to play a crucial role in facilitating a smooth and West Brom-centric outcome.
Concerns often arise during takeover negotiations regarding the intentions of new owners. The history of takeovers in English football, exemplified by cases such as Blackpool, Leyton Orient, and Portsmouth, underscores the importance of ensuring positive outcomes. Compounded by the financial challenges stemming from relegation in the 2020-21 Premier League season and the subsequent loss of parachute payments, West Brom is in dire need of a swift and supportive takeover. Fans eagerly await news, and if government officials extend the necessary support, positive developments may be on the horizon for Albion supporters who have been anticipating good news for quite some time.