4 Years After Releasing ‘Peaky Blinders’ Style Kit, Fortunate Stroke of Serendipity Strikes Birmingham FC as ‘Shelby Companies Limited’ Announced as Investors

When it comes to the crime TV show, Peaky Blinders is one of the first names that comes to mind. It is a British crime drama set in the city of Birmingham. It depicts the era after World War I. However, the reference to the Peaky Blinders has brought fortune to the local soccer club Birmingham FC. 

Birmingham FC was formed in 1875 and plays in the EFL Championship, the second division of English soccer since 2011. The club got a new investor recently from the US, and it has something to do with the famous British crime drama. 

Birmingham FC gets Shelby as a new investor

The investment from the US is increasing in English soccer. Many American investors feel English soccer is a splendid avenue for investment. The Premier League is arguably the best league and earns a massive sum from the TV rights. Even the lower divisions in the UK are better if we compare them to the leagues around the globe. 

One more American businessman has invested in the English club. American financier Tom Wagner recently purchased 45.64% stakes in the Championship club Birmingham FC. Meanwhile, what has caught the eyes of the fans is the company under which Wagner brought the stakes.

It draws similarities to Peaky Blinders, as the company that brought the stakes in the club is Shelby Companies Limited. As the British crime drama is set in Birmingham, the club once paid tribute to the TV show uniquely. In 2019, the club launched its new kit in Peaky Blinders style. 

Another Championship side owned by an American businessman got a new investment in the form of an NFL legend recently. JJ Watt and his wife, a soccer player, invested in Premier League-bound Burnley FC. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of the Wrexham AFC inspired Watt to invest in Burnley.

A look at American investments in the Premier League clubs

When it comes to American owners in the Premier League, the first clubs that come to mind are Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool. These are a few clubs only, as Americans have partly invested in many other clubs like Crystal Palace, West Ham United, and Crystal Palace. 

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Last year Todd Boehly took over Chelsea FC, and Bill Foley bought AFC Bournemouth. The Premier League keeps attracting many investors, with Manchester United subject to a bid process for the complete takeover. Whether the investments from the US keep increasing in the league remains to be seen. 

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Let us know your thoughts on the popularity Premier League is getting in recent times.