Tom Vernon, founder of the Right to Dream Academy, recently disclosed a daring decision from 2015: securing a £10 million loan from a friend in London to purchase FC Nordsjaelland.

FC Nordsjaelland, renowned for nurturing talents like Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ernest Nuamah, has been pivotal in enabling Ghanaian players to transition directly from the Akosombo-based academy to prominent European clubs.

In an exclusive interview with Joy Sports at the Right to Dream school, Vernon reflected on the considerable risk involved in acquiring Nordsjaelland.

“I borrowed £10 million from a friend in London. It was a huge risk. We decided to take action rather than remain stagnant. We believe our kids have immense potential. We were frustrated seeing challenges we couldn’t overcome,” Vernon explained.

He recounted the pivotal moment that spurred the decision to buy the club, recalling a board meeting where Kofi Anku, a board member, challenged him to find a solution.

“He said, ‘Go and do it.’ I knew a guy who always said, ‘If you ever want to make a real player or anything, just call me.’ His name is Bob Finch,” Vernon recalled.

Describing their strategic approach, Vernon shared, “Joe Mulberry and I analyzed all the markets extensively. We found Denmark unique for several reasons, a territory overlooked by others. So, we decided to take this significant step.”

After presenting their proposal to Finch, Vernon and Mulberry expected lengthy negotiations, but Finch promptly agreed to provide the entire amount they needed.

The acquisition of Nordsjaelland not only provided a launchpad for talented academy graduates to gain exposure in a competitive European league but also marked a milestone in the academy’s mission to empower young players.

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