US investor George Bruneau explains reviving 8th tier club Stafford Rangers having been ‘inspired by Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham’.
Talking to the Express and Star, he spoke of his initial investment and plans for the club, who currently sit in the Northern Premier League – West Division relegation zone (20th with 23 points from 26 games, a point from safety).
George Bruneau first posted anonymously on a non league facebook group looking for opportunities, and after initially after being called a scammer, he reached out to Stafford Rangers via director Mark Alcock.
After over a year of discussions, due diligence, and talking with around 10 or 12 clubs, his search narrowed down to just Stafford and one in Cambridge.
But it was the passionate fanbase of Stafford Rangers helped make his final decision.
-Long-term ambitions, on and off the pitch 📈
-FA Cup dreams, help from Hednesford owner, and more! 🏆🗣️ “Outside of being a husband and a father, this is going to be the most exciting thing I’ve done.”
🗞️🇺🇸 Full interview inside the Express and Star newspaper on Wednesday.
— Luke Powell (@lukew_powell) January 20, 2026
George Bruneau said to the Express and Star: “I am a huge fan of sports, but owning a team in the United States just was not realistic.
“Welcome to Wrexham on Disney got really popular. The ability to take a team from non-league and then compete in Football League is an amazing story, and that drew a lot of interest.
“I made an anonymous post on a non-league Facebook page saying ‘I’m looking to get involved – who wants some money?’
“The response was pretty shocking, people called me a scammer. But some did take it seriously, including Mark Alcock at Stafford.
“It came down to two. It wasn’t the board, Marston Road or anything else, but seeing the passion of the fans, even though the team has been in a downward spiral.”
He and family made the 6,000+ mile trip to attend their first Stafford match on New Year’s Day, which was a 6-1 defeat to Nantwich Town.
📢 Club Announcement | Investment Secured ⚫⚪
Stafford Rangers FC are delighted to announce that we have secured an investment from George Bruneau, a US-based investor, following 12 months of discussions and due diligence.
George has already made an initial investment, with a… pic.twitter.com/44vmeECHes
— Stafford Rangers FC (@SRFCofficial) January 14, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Stafford Rangers FC is delighted to announce that we have secured an investment from George Bruneau, a US-based investor. George has already made an initial investment with an investment plan and timeframe agreed. Upon completion, George’s total investment would eventually make him a substantial shareholder.
This milestone is the result of 12 months of dedicated work, involving numerous meetings, discussions, and a comprehensive due diligence process conducted by George and finally a visit to his first match on New Year’s Day. His commitment to travel 6,000 miles to watch us play reflects his confidence in the Club’s future, and his determination to join us on the journey.
George was first introduced to Stafford Rangers FC by Mark Alcock, who, alongside David Montgomery and David Smith, have led the negotiations and provided a transparent, “warts and all” appraisal of the Club.
Over the past year, Stafford Rangers FC successfully fought off competition from other clubs vying for George’s investment by demonstrating a clear vision to deliver a successful future.
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Mark Alcock (Director) comments:
“We are delighted that we have secured George’s investment, but more importantly, we are excited about the prospect of working with George to take this club forward.
“He has an infectious personality, lots of enthusiasm, and brilliant ideas to help us grow.
“George is extremely knowledgeable about non-league football and, over the last few months, has become an ardent fan of the team.
“He will over a period be an important shareholder and is eager to help us together make Stafford Rangers great again.
“I have personally had the pleasure of spending a couple of days with the family and they get us – they will be a brilliant addition to the Boro family.
“All the board met and welcomed George & Valerie and got to know them a little at the away game against Nantwich Town FC on New Year’s Day when he also took the opportunity to meet with fans he had engaged with on social media.”
George Bruneau added:
“From me, Valerie (Val), and Archie, thank you to everyone we met at the match on New Year’s Day.
“The warmth, the honesty, and the passion meant a lot to us.
“There has been a lot of chatter about investment and what is happening behind the scenes, so I wanted to speak plainly. You deserve that.
“We are the ones investing and hopefully we will bring others over time, but this starts with our family believing in what this club can be. I have spent a lot of time learning the club’s history—the highs, the lows, the Wembley days, and how things ended up where they are now.
“Some of it might not even matter for the future, but it mattered to us to understand the club properly.
“Val and I did not grow up with much. We have worked hard, planned carefully and are proud of what we have built.
“We are not mega rich, and this is not going to be a quick-fix fairy tale, but we do care deeply about doing things the right way.
“I work in wealth management, and I take stewardship very seriously. Every pound matters. You spend your hard-earned money to support this club, and the Directors and shareholders take that responsibility very seriously.
“What matters most to me is culture. Everyone involved needs to care – really care – about the badge.
“Seeing emotion after the match, seeing players hurting because results are not good enough matters. When people care, progress becomes possible.
“There is a lot to be optimistic about. I spoke to many clubs before this one, and the passion here genuinely stands out.
“The noise online, on SRFC Radio and in the stands is special. 1,250 of you showed up on Boxing Day despite our position in the league. That is special and something to build on.
“There will be ups and downs – that’s football – but if we stick together, back the lads, and keep believing in what we are building, this club can move forward the right way.
“Not overnight, not by shortcuts but through togetherness, pride, and belief. This club belongs to us all, and the future will be shaped by the people who refuse to give up on it. Up the Boro.”
Welcome to the club – the Boro family, George, Val, and Archie.
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