That's rich, Will

  • by Staff Writer
  • Tuesday, 4th August 2026

An associate of former co-chairman David Sullivan has called the group hoping to seize control of the club "professional parasites".

Husband and wife team Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are fronting a consortium hoping to buy into the club by purchasing the Gold family's stake of 25.1%.




However William Storey, an acquaintance of Sullivan and the CEO of drinks company Rich Energy has slammed the pair, accusing them of having "minimal understanding" of football - despite Staveley having previously sat on the board at Newcastle United.

Replying to a post by writer Henry Winter, in which he claimed it was "good to see" the "popular" Staveley and Ghodoussi back in the game, Storey blasted: "Arrant nonsense. They are professional parasites borrowing money against football assets at expensive rates of interest.

"A Private Equity model as with the Glazers and Chelsea. Minimal understanding of the game and focused on their fees ultimately leaving clubs burdened with debt."

Storey has previously spoken effusively about Sullivan, with whom he has dealt for several years.

Talking about his associate shortly after Sullivan was accused of improper behaviour by the BBC and the Times - accusations that he continues to deny - Storey added: "I've dealt with the CEOs of investment banks, Magic Circle law firm and Richard Branson - and I would say that David Sullivan is, by some margin, the smartest and highest quality operator I've ever met in business.

"I would also add that the attempted media hatchet job on him based upon discredited allegations and financially motivated defamatory smears from 30 years ago is a transparent disgrace. I hope his libel lawyers take them to the cleaners.

"A self-made billionaire who has employed thousands of people, invested heavily in the local community and paid millions in tax whilst at all times remaining a UK resident should be applauded."

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