VSC Board Statement

The VSC Board welcomes the news of the verdict of fraud case heard at Leeds Crown Court following the reporting restriction in place until 19th September 2025.  

This case involved key figures in the failed takeover of Doncaster Rovers by Sequentia Capital in 2013.

We would further like to pass on our thanks to Judge Belcher, Tim Hannam KC and his team for the prosecution, and the jury members for reaching their decision.

Those involved in the failed takeover and now awaiting sentencing for fraud on January 8th 2026 are Kevin Phelan, Daniel Giles and Adrian Bashforth.

The takeover attempt did enormous damage to the Doncaster Rovers fanbase, which has taken many years to heal.  Public support for the Sequentia Capital takeover was expressed by many supporters despite no real information available on who was behind the bid or where the proposed funding was coming from.  Support was also given from representatives of Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club, and former club Chairman John Ryan, fronting these bids, even enlisted Louis Tomlinson to promote and help raise funds.  Tomlinson later said in a statement that he was “misled”.   

The VSC did what a Supporter’s Trust was meant to do.  We sought to scrutinise the potential new owners, particularly with regard for the good governance of the Football Club and ensuring that its future would be secure for the benefit of future generations of supporters.  The fact that we couldn’t complete this due to a lack of information and those behind Sequentia Capital being unwilling to provide it only raised further concern.

In the face of mounting pressure and speculation the VSC stood firm and worked diligently behind the scenes with various individuals and groups to help ensure that these takeovers did not succeed without full transparency.  Some of these people worked at the FA, the EFL, Supporters Direct, and the FSF.  We also received help from many Rovers fans and individuals who kept their identity secret and yet provided valuable information, and Conor Ryan, an investigative journalist then working at The Irish Examiner newspaper.  We would like to place on record our thanks to all those who supported the VSC.

Now, in the light of this verdict and at a time with Doncaster Rovers in settled and stable ownership whilst other clubs are facing an uncertain future due to ownership issues, with the recent well publicised concerns for Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday supporters as examples, the actions of the VSC regarding the takeover attempt can finally be viewed as correct and justified by all. 

It has taken a long time to get to this point, but the truth about the people behind the ownership bid is now a matter of public record.

In the months to come we will detail more information on how the takeover bids came about and the dangers they held for the club and it’s proud supporters. We will also reach out to the club and individuals involved at the time and ask the questions that need to be asked, and ensure that we are prepared for the future.  

Football clubs are the cornerstone of communities, and by ensuring good ownership and holding it to account we can help ensure Doncaster Rovers supporters have a well-run club to enjoy for many more years to come.