WHO IS NICK SEMACA?

On Saturday morning, shareholders voted to amend the articles of association to enable Nick Semaca via his Lakefront Football Partners LLC to become the club’s new investor and majority shareholder. The deal is subject to the signing of a new lease at Grosvenor Vale and finalising of the legal paperwork.

Nick brings a wealth of global business experience and a lifelong passion for football to the Stones, along with a proven record of helping sports organisations achieve sustainable success both on and off the field.

Growing up in New Jersey, Nick describes himself as a “sports nut.” Baseball, American football and hockey filled his youth but unlike most American kids of his generation, football (soccer) was always part of his life. His parents were post-war refugees from Europe and it was his extended family in Germany who first passed on their passion for the sport.

That connection led him to his first Bundesliga match in 1973, a 1-1 draw between FC Köln and Eintracht Frankfurt and to watching the legendary New York Cosmos at Giants Stadium during the Pele and Beckenbauer era.

“I was even the first goalkeeper for my high school’s inaugural football team,” he recalls with a smile. “Fortunately, there are no recordings of how badly I played.”

Nick’s professional career took him across the world. After earning a Master’s degree in Business from Northwestern University, he joined McKinsey & Company, where he spent two decades helping organisations improve their performance - financially, operationally and strategically.

His consulting career saw him work on every continent except Antarctica, advising clients from global corporations to smallholder farmers in Kenya. It also planted the seed for his next chapter, applying those same principles of excellence and sustainability to sport.

Following his retirement from McKinsey in 2013, Nick made his first move into team ownership, investing in the Joliet Slammers, a minor league baseball team in Illinois.

“The start was tough, we made almost every mistake possible,” he admits. “But we learned, adapted and built a strong foundation.”

By the time he sold the team in 2024, to none other than actor and comedian Bill Murray, the Slammers had won a league championship and become a profitable, sustainable business.

His love of football brought him to Leyton Orient in 2021, where he served as an investor and board member during the club’s promotion to League One and run to the play-off final at Wembley. He also invested in Germany’s Preußen Münster, who have since achieved back to back promotions to the 2. Bundesliga and are now enjoying both on-field success and financial stability.

After selling his shares in Leyton Orient, Nick began looking for another opportunity to stay involved in English football. That search led him to Wealdstone FC.

Over the summer, he engaged closely with the club’s Board of Directors, as well as extensive discussions with Peter Marsden, the club’s major shareholder and members of the Supporters Club such as Nick Dugard, Peter Worby and Mark Randall.

Nick says those conversations left a lasting impression.

“I came away with a strong sense of connection to the culture and DNA of the Stones,” he explains. “The passion of the supporters, the resilience of the club and the stewardship shown by the Board all speak to a community that truly loves its football.”

Nick’s philosophy for Wealdstone is clear: financial sustainability comes first.

“Too many clubs forget that their most important responsibility is to protect the club for future generations,” he says. “A sustainable model is the foundation for everything else.”

Alongside this commitment, Nick sees major opportunities to grow, by improving the matchday experience, increasing attendances and boosting non matchday revenues. He also plans to strengthen the club’s football operation, with a focus on youth development and smart recruitment.

Drawing on his global experience, he aims to introduce best practices from across football and other sports and to make Wealdstone a place where young talent in areas like sales, marketing and operations can learn and thrive.

Importantly, he is not coming alone.

“Over the years, I’ve built a network of like minded investors who share my belief in sustainable success,” Nick notes. “I’m confident they’ll join me in helping to secure an exciting and enduring future for Wealdstone FC.”

Pending completion of the lease and legal process, Nick Semaca will become Wealdstone FC’s majority shareholder.

“I’m honoured to even be considered to become part of this great club,” he says. “Wealdstone has an extraordinary history, a passionate fanbase and a bright future and I’m thrilled at the chance to help build the next chapter.”