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Paul Stapleton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Stapleton is the Chairman of Plymouth Argyle F.C. and senior partner in the Plymouth based accountancy practice Parkhurst Hill. He has been a director of the club since 1998. He is also a treasurer of Plymouth Argyle Youth Development.
Stapleton succeeded Dan McCauley as Chairman of PAFC in August 2001 when he headed a consortium of businessmen and supporters in buying the club from, and with, the majority shareholder and former chairman.
The initial idea for the "New Board" came when Stapleton was in conversation with Dan McCauley about the future of the club. Following a visit to a Chairman's Conference he was surprised at how many comments were made by other Chairman about parties interested in buying Plymouth Argyle. He suggested to Dan McCauley that he might be able to get together enough interested Argyle Supporters to buy equal shares in the club.
This was soon approved by Dan McCauley as he wished to see the club handled by people who had deep feelings and a passion for Plymouth Argyle rather than nameless businessmen. The consortium was gathered and an offer was made which was agreeable to all concerned - leading to a fully democratic board with all full board members having equal shares and votes.
The deal was finalised a few months later on February 1st 2002, when Dan McCauley was paid in full for the balance of his shares and all the monies owed to McCauley's industrial group Rotolok Holdings plc. This was to signal the end of Dan McCauley's involvement at Home Park.
Stapleton's tenure has seen Argyle win two championships, in 2001-2 and 2002-3, which have taken them from the fourth tier of English football to the second. However, the Board has seen several changes of personnel after internal arguments over investment priorities. As of March 2007, only three of the original six members remained, together with two new members.
Paul Stapleton presided over the Board's purchase of the freehold of Argyle's ground, Home Park, from Plymouth City Council in early 2007.