- Lifestyle & Sports
- 27 Jun 23
Stormzy set to buy English non-League football team AFC Croydon Athletic
The British rapper and Crystal Palace footballer plan to use their cash on an 'exciting journey' for their childhood ninth-tier football team in Croydon.
Stormzy is closing on a deal to buy non-League side AFC Croydon Athletic along with Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and former head of player care Danny Young.
The club competes in the Combined Counties League Premier South Division, step five of the English football pyramid. It was founded in 2012 after Croydon Athletic withdrew from the Isthmian League in the 2011-12 campaign and then later folded.
They finished 15th in the 20-club division last season.
Crystal Palace winger Zaha and Stormzy both grew up in Croydon and a statement released by the club confirmed that they, alongside Young, have exchanged contacts with the existing owners following months of discussions.
The club statement, shared by Croydon Athletic on Twitter and Stormzy on Instagram, added: “The consortium will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club.
“While completion is subject to legislative and governance procedures, the three consortium members are excited about developing a community asset in the borough that gave them their own opportunities. They hope to take the entire community on this exciting journey with them."
View this post on Instagram
Subject to FA and league approval, the prospective new owners will operate and develop the team as part of a project that will see them return to their roots.
Stormzy, British rap icon, was born in Croydon and alongside Premier League footballer Zaha has always maintained strong roots to his home.
The rapper donated £500,000 via his Merky Foundation charity to fund educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2020.
RELATED
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 11 Sep 25
Learning to save lives: Why your college years are the perfect time to start giving blood
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 10 Sep 25
An Garda Síochána - A Job Worth Doing: Build Your Career. Serve Your Community.
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 09 Sep 25
Chris Morley of Mason’s Brewing looks ahead to Dublin Beer Festival
RELATED
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 08 Sep 25
Irish football fans protest Viktor Orbán at World Cup qualifier: "Orbán is not welcome in Dublin."
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 05 Sep 25
Embrace European Mushrooms and learn to make Pasta alla Boscaiola with chef Eric Matthews of Kicky's
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 05 Sep 25
Dublin Beer Festival: Over 50 breweries, distillers and cider makers are heading to the RDS this month
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 04 Sep 25
Dave Zirin's documentary to be screened at Trinity College with Q&A
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 28 Aug 25
The Little Coffee Hut at Electric Picnic: Glorious coffee, hot food, delicious açaí bowls and more
- Lifestyle & Sports
- 27 Aug 25