Al-Qadi family inject cash and hope at Rovers
The swirling wind and driving rain were wreaking havoc with the Memorial Stadium’s PA system. ‘Perhaps the new owner wouldn’t mind buying a new microphone,’ joked the on-pitch announcer through the static. Cue mass laughter.
Wael Al-Qadi was certainly a man in demand. The Jordanian football obsessive and his wealthy family took everyone by surprise by buying 92 per cent of League Two Bristol Rovers on Friday, making for a heady atmosphere despite the weather.
‘It’s like we’ve won the lottery!’ beamed the lady in the ticket office. Another female fan nursing a pint of cider danced a jig of delight.
It took Al-Qadi half an hour to reach the directors’s box, such was the clamour foror self-selfies. Many told the newnew club president it is the best thing thatat had ever happenedd to the club. Thee players were wel- comed on to thee pitch as ‘the Pride of the West country andnd Pride of Jordan’.
having watched the game from a balconyny with a pirate flag draped nearby, he was introduced to the fans at half-time.
he whipped off his coat to reveal the club’s blue and white shirt. Then, facing the Blackthorn end, smooched the badge (above). The fans responded with another rendition of club anthem ‘Goodnight, Irene’.
Next time, he might be in with them. ‘I believe to enjoy a game, you have to be there with the fans, singing, urging your team on,’ Al- Qadi told Sportsmail. ‘So if they will have me…
‘It is the potential of not only the club, but the city and people that attracted me. The amazing heritage that the club has and the very, very loyal fanbase. Gasheads are passionate, hardcore — essential ingredients for a successful football club.’
Al-Qadi, the youngest of three brothers, attended Westminster School and watched Chelsea as a youngster with father Abdulkader Abdullah Al-Qadi, who founded the Arab Jordan Investment Bank.
his arrival has created a buzz of optimism that Rovers will no longer be the poor relation in one of the largest cities in europe without a top-flight side. Across town, City play in the second tier at a redeveloped Ashton Gate. Rovers, meanwhile, haven’t been in the second tier since 1992-93 and even dropped out of the Football League for 2014-15.
The investment may mean hopes of a proposed £40million,lion, 21,7021,700- seater stadium will finallyfin be realised. ‘TheThere is a necessity for a new stadium,’ AlAl-Qadi said. ‘We’re gogoing to arrange for everything to be clear.’ The move cocould well coincide wiwith Rovers’ elevatiotion to a higher tier. A 2-1 win over Morecambcambe on Saturday lifted DarrellDar Clarke’s team into the play-off places.
With money for new players promised, back-to-back promotions are a very real possibility, even if the big news took Clarke by surprise.
‘It was a difficult game to manage,’ he said. ‘I’ve had 30 minutes with him, but it was an inspirational 30 minutes.
‘If they want to sack me, they can sack me. As it stands, the owner is fully behind me.’
Al- Qadi embraced Clarke after three points were gained from a second-half fightback.
Morecambe took the lead through Jamie Devitt’s penalty but once Rovers realised long ball was an impossibility in the gale-force conditions, they were in the ascendancy.
Rory Gaffney smashed home an equaliser before Billy Bodin stooped to head in the winner and lift Rovers to sixth.