Boyzone boy band stars Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy enjoyed 16 top-10 UK hits in the 1990s, and have reportedly joined forces with ex-Westlife member Brian McFadden over buying a potential stake in National League North side Chorley
Thursday 8 February 2024 14:35, UK
National League North side Chorley say they are in negotiations with pop stars from Boyzone to become shareholders and "the face of the club".
Members of Boyzone along with ex-Westlife member Brian McFadden, are set to meet the owners at their FA Trophy game vs Solihull Moors on Saturday, to discuss investment in the club.
The news comes as the club were hit by a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs.
Chorley's chief operating officer Tom Clarke told BBC Lancashire: "We're looking at continuing ongoing negotiations in relation to their involvement with the club and ultimately becoming a shareholder within the club and the face of Chorley Football Club, effectively.
"Shane has attended a few games, loved what we are doing, and it kind of evolved from there really. They've got really excited about it and are coming down on Saturday."
Chorley's Victory Park ground holds 4,100 supporters. They currently lie sixth in National League North.
A statement from Chorley read: "This collaboration with Boyzone is part of ongoing discussions that could potentially see them becoming the face of the football club.
"This is a game-changer that has the potential to bring our town into the limelight like never before, generating a buzz and publicity that will shine a bright light on Chorley and the local area.
"We are bursting with excitement and gratitude for this incredible opportunity. Boyzone's presence at the game will undoubtedly create an electric atmosphere, filled with music, joy and a shared love for football and a close knit, family community."
Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney famously invested at Wrexham in 2021, helping the Welsh club to promotion back to the Football League.
Clarke told the PA news agency: "[Wrexham] have written the playbook, haven't they? They've proven that as a tried-and-tested model and obviously it'd be absolutely fantastic to do anything like that.
"It'd be wonderful if they were to come in and have an active role within the club and, ultimately, that's got to be what our goal is set for as part of those negotiations."
Last week former Take That singer Robbie Williams attended a Port Vale match where he had a suite named after him at the League One club.
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