In an innovative move to democratize club ownership, Watford FC, an English soccer club with a storied history, is offering 10% equity to fans and investors via the investment platform Seedrs, the European division of Republic.

Watford FC, which currently competes in the EFL Championship—the second tier of English football—aims to raise approximately £17.5 million ($22.3 million) through this initiative. Each share is priced at around £12, according to an announcement made on Tuesday.

This strategic partnership with Republic is designed to broaden the pool of potential investors beyond the traditional avenues of equity raising. The initiative notably empowers fans to become partial owners of the club, fostering a deeper connection with Watford’s rich legacy and its future ambitions.

Investors will also have the opportunity to receive digital tokens, granting access to exclusive offers and benefits. Additionally, these tokens will be tradeable in the future, enhancing their utility and value.

Watford FC has a reputation for fluctuating between the Premier League and the EFL Championship over the past decade. The club is also renowned for its rapid ascent through the football league system during the 1970s and 1980s. Under the chairmanship of pop icon Elton John, Watford soared from the Fourth Division in 1977 to the runner-up spot in the First Division by 1983, and subsequently reached the FA Cup final the following year.

This equity offering represents a unique opportunity for fans and investors to play a tangible role in the club's ongoing journey and to share in its future successes.