South Shields FC 

We’re pleased to have advised South Shields FC on the sale of a majority stake to an international investor consortium, securing long-term backing for one of the North East’s most storied football clubs.

The deal sees an investor group backed by ORY Investment Holdings acquire a majority shareholding in the club. Geoff Thompson, who has led the club since 2015 and overseen three promotions, remains in place as chairman and a significant shareholder.

Founded in 1888, South Shields FC competes in the National League North and plays its home matches at Mariners Park. A key pillar of the local community, the club has enjoyed success both on and off the pitch, including winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 2017.

Recent years have seen the club undergo a significant transformation. Major investment has been made in its stadium infrastructure alongside strengthening its Foundation, which delivers community and school programmes in the local area. The club has also invested in developing its academy system and establishing international partnerships in the United States and Asia.

Our Newcastle Corporate Finance team was appointed by the club to help explore long-term ownership options. The team supported a global search process that involved discussions with potential investors from the UK and overseas before identifying the successful consortium.

The new ownership group is anchored by ORY Investment Holdings and led by Jason Ye. The consortium brings together investors from the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore with experience across capital markets and business investment, as well as a shared interest in sports investment.

The transaction reflects growing international interest in heritage football clubs with strong community foundations, as investors increasingly look beyond the top-flight game to clubs that play an important role in their local economies and communities.

Phil Williams, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “From the outset our priority was to find the right long-term custodian for South Shields FC. The club has a strong identity and a deep connection with its supporters, so it was important that any investor group shared this ambition while respecting what makes the club special.

“ORY and the wider consortium showed real commitment throughout the process, taking time to understand the club’s heritage and its priorities for the future. It has been a privilege to support on a transaction that marks a new chapter for a club of such importance to its local community.”

Geoff Thompson, Chairman of South Shields FC, said: “The past decade has been transformative for the club, with three consecutive promotions and expanding our reach into the community. We plan to build on this momentum by developing a sustainable football club that can continue to progress on the pitch while delivering lasting benefits for our supporters and the wider area.

“This investment gives us a strong platform to do just that, bringing in partners with the experience to support our continued development while keeping the club at the heart of the community. We look forward to working with ORY and the wider consortium to make that ambition a reality and represent North East grass roots football on a global stage.”

Jason Ye, on behalf of ORY Investment Holdings, said: ““It is a privilege to join an organisation that embodies such a rich heritage, strong community spirit, and a location at the heart of one of the world’s most prolific regions for football talent. We know there’s plenty of hard work ahead, but we’re fully committed to building on the fantastic foundation Geoff and the team have already created.

“We truly believe SSFC can grow into a strong force both on and off the pitch. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Geoff for welcoming our group into the SSFC family, and we’re looking forward to meeting the fans and sharing this journey together.”

The transaction received approval from The Football Association and the National League, with the new ownership structure taking effect on 29 May 2026.