Banyan Holding has finalised an agreement with Richard Smales to acquire the remaining 50% stake in Hull Sporting Club.
Hull Sporting Club can confirm that Banyan Holding has finalised an agreement with founder Richard Smales to acquire the remaining 50% stake in the club.
The agreement was completed on Friday 15 May 2026 and follows Banyan Holding’s initial 50% investment, which came into effect on 5 June 2025.
As a result, Hull Sporting Club is now fully owned by Banyan Holding.
This marks an important milestone in the club’s journey and provides a clear ownership structure for the next phase of development.
The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Richard Smales for his vision, commitment and the foundations he has built. As founder of Hull Sporting Club, Richard played a key role in establishing the club’s identity and giving it the platform to move forward.
Banyan Holding will now lead the club into its next stage of growth with a focus on long-term development, stronger operational structure, commercial growth, digital engagement and deeper community connection.
Under the leadership of Mohammad Al Shuraiaan, Chairman of Banyan Holding and Hull Sporting Club, the club will continue working toward its long-term vision of becoming a modern, sustainable and community-rooted football club.
With the ownership structure now complete, our focus is clear: to build Hull Sporting Club with strong foundations, professional standards and a long-term commitment to the community.
— Hull Sporting Club
The ownership completion allows Hull Sporting Club to move forward with greater clarity, consistency and ambition.
As part of this next phase, SINFIN will support the club as a strategic partner for commercial growth, fan engagement and digital development, helping Hull Sporting Club build stronger connections with supporters, partners and the wider community.
The direction remains clear: to build a club rooted in Hull, driven by long-term development and committed to sustainable growth both on and off the pitch.
This is not just an ownership update. It is the beginning of the next chapter.
From the dock to the dream.