Northampton Town takeover: Kelvin Thomas completes deal for club

The former Oxford United chairman has taken over from David Cardoza

New Northampton Town owner Kelvin Thomas (Getty Images)

Kelvin Thomas has completed his takeover of League Two side Northampton Town.

The former Oxford United chairman has taken over from David Cardoza as the new chairman at Sixfields and has confirmed that the overdue tax bill has been paid.

A club spokesman confirmed: “The HRMC will be seeking to withdraw their liquidation petition on Monday. Following that it was also confirmed that the club will work closely with Northampton Borough Council to complete the necessary paperwork to legally bind the signed Memorandum of Understanding and withdraw the adjourned administration petition.”

The takeover has been a long and complicated process, but Thomas is delighted to have completed the deal. In a statement this afternoon, Thomas said: “We are very excited about the challenge here, it’s a really good club and we think we can take it forward.”

“There were times when we were close to walking away but we got there in the end which is the most important thing.

Thomas will be joined on the board by incoming Director David Bower and non-executive director Mike Wailing.

“We have the ability, the finances and the expertise to take the club forward. We’ve got £1 million set aside for the initial investment.”

The non-playing staff hadn’t been paid since the end of September and Cardoza’s successor has confirmed they will be paid next week once the withdrawal of the HRMC winding up petition has been completed.

The club is going well on the pitch with manager Chris Wilder guiding the side up to third in the league and into the second round of the FA Cup and Thomas is keen to keep the club moving in the right direction. “We want to make this football club successful and the fans are going to play a major part in that.

“We’ll put our heart and soul into this club to make sure it is successful.

“I’ve always found Northampton Town to be a good solid club and up until the last few years, it has been that.”