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Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud joined Sheffield United as a joint owner in 2013, acquiring a 50% interest in the club’s holding company, Blades Leisure Ltd. The announcement was framed positively in his own words, but the available contemporaneous report does not establish that supporters broadly hailed the deal.
What Prince Abdullah’s 2013 takeover involved
Sheffield United confirmed Prince Abdullah’s investment on 3 September 2013. ITV Calendar reported that he had acquired half of Blades Leisure Ltd, the company holding the club, and would serve as co-chairman alongside Kevin McCabe. The High Court later described the agreement as an intended £10 million investment for a 50% interest. The parties had signed their investment and shareholders’ agreement on 30 August 2013. ITV Calendar’s announcement and the High Court judgment provide the contemporaneous and contractual accounts.
Calling the event a “takeover” can obscure the structure: the 2013 announcement described a joint owner with a half-stake in the holding company, not a sole owner buying the club outright.
What Prince Abdullah said when he joined
In the statement published by ITV on 3 September 2013, Prince Abdullah said he was “delighted to invest” in what he called a “sensibly-organised, family and community club” with a strong history and heritage. He said joining close to the club’s 125th year was significant to him and that he and McCabe were determined to help Sheffield United achieve its goals.
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- Soft warm acrylic knit in classic Sheffield United team colors of red, white + black | Substantial weight that drapes + holds its shape
- Sheffield United team name + mock club crest jacquard knitted into both sides, so the scarf reads right whichever way it hangs
- This scarf measures over 5 feet long with soft fringes at either end | Wraps once around the neck with room to spare, or hang it on the wall as a classic Blades collectible
- Hand wash is recommended and ready for cold weather | One size fits adult Men + Women, and it packs down small for the Stadium or a watch party
- Authentic fan scarf, as worn by Blades supporters at Bramall Lane and everywhere | A great gift idea for the Sheffield United fan or the Blades believer in your life!
He also set a limit on expectations about spending: “money will be spent judiciously,” he said, and the club had to comply with the Salary Cost Management Protocol. His comments conveyed enthusiasm, but also made clear that investment would be managed within the applicable spending rules. ITV’s report reproduces his statement.
How the joint ownership developed
The partnership later became the subject of a legal dispute between Prince Abdullah’s UTB LLC and McCabe’s Sheffield United Ltd over their agreement and control of Blades Leisure. The High Court’s judgment, handed down on 16 September 2019, sets out the original investment arrangement and the dispute that followed. Read the judgment for the court’s account of the contractual and company structure.
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When Prince Abdullah’s ownership ended
Prince Abdullah’s tenure ended in December 2024, when COH Sports completed its takeover of Sheffield United. Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy joined the board as co-chairmen. The Guardian’s report confirms the completed sale, while BBC Sport’s interview with Prince Abdullah, published on 30 December 2024, records his pride in his tenure and reports that the club earned two promotions to the Premier League during his ownership. The Guardian on the completed takeover; BBC Sport’s interview with Prince Abdullah.
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- Slim fit Crewneck 100% polyester (recycled) AEROREADY Manchester United woven crest
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