Carrick Rangers announce ‘pioneering’ new alliance with US-based company

American businessman Michael Smith is majority shareholder at Carrick Rangers

Carrick Rangers have taken further steps to break into the US market after announcing a ‘pioneering’ new alliance with American company Fan Owned Club to allow supporters to become part of their journey by buying minor stakes in the club.

With Portland native Michael Smith having bought a majority stake to become majority owner earlier in the year, Carrick have now taken further steps to try and enhance their profile both locally and Stateside.

With football now ranked as the fourth-most popular sport in America – with eight per cent of the population describing it as their favourite sport – and with more than 10 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry, the American market is deemed to be one that is ready for investment.

And according to the Taylors Avenue side’s statement, the collaboration is in order to “establish the Club as a globally recognized brand and usher in the Irish League's entry into the lucrative US market”.

Fan Owned Club will play a pivotal role in providing a wide array of marketing, merchandising and commercial services on an international scale for the club, which will help them promote their brand outside of Northern Ireland.

Fans will be able to purchase a minor stake in the club, of which 100 per cent of profits will go to the club, and be part of their journey.

Per the FOC website, the company is intent on “giving each and every Fan Owner the chance to see and participate in the inner workings of a soccer club, by bringing the community membership model which, in some forms, is more common in Europe, and taking it over to the United States with a twist.”

"The Irish League might be the most under-valued product in all