Port Vale have denied reports claiming pop star Robbie Williams is preparing a bid to buy the football club.
Williams, a lifelong fan of the League One side, was said to be considering a Wrexham-style takeover at Vale Park.
The 49-year-old former Take That star, whose solo hits include Angels, Let Me Entertain You and Come Undone, became the club’s president at the weekend and opened a new suite named after him.
But Vale, owned by businesswoman Carol Shanahan, say there are no plans in the pipeline for Williams to buy the club.
A Vale statement read: ‘We are aware of the ‘exclusive’ news that appeared in several national news outlets overnight and want to clarify the following: Robbie Williams has not made a bid to purchase Port Vale Football Club and there have been no conversations regarding that happening.
Port Vale have denied reports claiming pop star Robbie Williams, 49, is preparing a bid to buy the football club
Williams, a lifelong fan of the League One side, was said to be considering a Wrexham-style takeover at Vale Park
‘Robbie and his team attended the match this past weekend, where he became club president and opened the suite that is now named after him.
‘There are a number of positive club projects that both Carol and Robbie are exploring with the intention of anything delivered being in the best interests of Port Vale Football Club.
‘As owners of the club, the Shanahan family remain fully committed to Port Vale FC.’
Vale are currently 20th in League One and lost 1-0 to Portsmouth on Saturday.
It comes after The Sun reported Robbie was planning a potential Welcome To Wrexham-style TV spin-off after buying the team.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC in 2020 and the successful Disney+ series sees them learn to run the third oldest professional football club in the world.
A source said: ‘It’s really early days, but Robbie’s been formally approached to see if he’s interested in fronting a bid.
‘Port Vale remains one of his greatest loves, and it’s always been a dream to be more involved.
The 49-year-old former Take That star, whose solo hits include Angels, Let Me Entertain You and Come Undone, became the club’s president at the weekend and opened a new suite named after him
But Vale, owned by businesswoman Carol Shanahan, say there are no plans in the pipeline for Williams to buy the club
It comes after The Sun reported Robbie was planning a potential Welcome To Wrexham-style TV spin-off after buying the team like Ryan Reynolds (R) and Rob McElhenney (L)
‘He’s had a couple of meetings, and his backers are incredibly excited. They feel Rob would add the star quality, and make Port Vale a major player.
‘Seeing what Ryan and Rob have done with Wrexham – the increased footfall, merchandise sales and general profile build – is inspiring. Port Vale fans love Robbie and, on paper, it’s a match made in heaven.’
A representative for Robbie has been contacted for comment by MailOnline.
After being named Port Vale president, Robbie said in a post: ‘My life is bizarre and wonderful and has taken many turns and twists and to find myself from the Railway Paddock to be ‘El Presidente’ is pretty special.’
Robbie is seen watching Port Vale and Portsmouth at Vale Park on January 27, 2024 in Burslem
The team’s co-owner and chair Carol Shanahan had ‘revitalised’ the club, prompting him to invest his interest back into it, he explained in a video posted by the club on X.
He said: ‘It feels as though I need to be doing more in and around this place.
‘I just think with Carol and family turning up to Port Vale – if it hadn’t been for them none of this would be happening.
‘Football clubs are run by people with certain characters. The reason why I hadn’t come back up to Port Vale in the longest time, was I never met the characters that ran the place.
‘The club hadn’t felt loving, homely or welcoming. Then Carol and her family came in, revitalised, changed the place and I noticed this happening from afar and thought that’s incredibly interesting.
‘And it sort of got me to reinvest, first interest and then – meeting the family and coming and seeing what was going on – investing my heart back into the club.
‘Let the good times roll.’
