{"id":544497,"date":"2025-11-02T16:23:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T16:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/544497\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T16:23:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T16:23:22","slug":"matty-johns-makes-bombshell-decision-to-buy-a-stake-in-a-footy-club-after-weeks-of-secret-talks-but-his-investment-may-surprise-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/544497\/","title":{"rendered":"Matty Johns makes bombshell decision to buy a stake in a footy club after weeks of secret talks… but his investment may surprise fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ED CARRUTHERS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 07:38 EDT, 2 November 2025 | Updated: 07:41 EDT, 2 November 2025 <\/p>\n

Former Newcastle Knights star Matty Johns has surprisingly chosen to buy a stake in the Gold Coast<\/a> Titans, according to reports.<\/p>\n

The Courier Mail writes that Johns, who was born and raised in New South Wales<\/a>, has purchased a minority share in the Queensland<\/a> outfit.<\/p>\n

The surprising news is due to be confirmed by the footy club on Monday, with Johns set to join Rebecca and Brett Frizelle as a part-owner in the club.<\/p>\n

It comes four months after the Frizelle family took full ownership of the footy club, with former Paralympics<\/a> Australia director Rebecca and Brett Frizelle buying up Darryl and Joanne Kelly\u2019s shares in the club.<\/p>\n

The Frizelle family has made headlines in the rugby league world in recent years for their ruthless decisions to part company with coaches Justin Holbrook and, more recently, ex-Manly boss Des Hasler.<\/p>\n

Hasler, who had been in charge for only a year, was shown the door after his embattled Titans slumped to 16th in the NRL<\/a> ladder this season, having won a mere six games this season.<\/p>\n

\"Former <\/p>\n

Former Newcastle Knights star Matty Johns has surprisingly chosen to buy a stake in the Gold Coast Titans<\/p>\n

\"He <\/p>\n

He is due to buy a minority stake in the footy club and will join up with current majority owner Rebecca Frizelle (left, with ex-NRL CEO Dave Smith)<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The details of Johns’ (right, with Rob Schneider) investment are still to be revealed\u00a0<\/p>\n

Johns, meanwhile, enjoyed a glittering career in rugby league, making four State of Origin appearances for New South Wales, while also representing the Knights on 176 occasions.<\/p>\n

The Courier Mail claims that Frizelle sees the Fox Sports pundit as one of rugby league\u2019s best analysts.<\/p>\n

Both parties have been in secret talks over the past few weeks, with Johns having also informed Fox of his decision to invest in the club – a move that the broadcaster has no issue with.<\/p>\n

While the details of the deal are yet to be disclosed, the broadcaster is understood to be a big admirer of the Frizelle family.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They are well known for having established one of the largest automotive dealerships in Queensland.<\/p>\n

The Frizelles took joint ownership of the club with the Kelly family, after the latter saved the Titans from going bankrupt in 2012.<\/p>\n

The club\u2019s highest league placing came in 2009, when Gold Coast finished third.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But in recent years, the Titans have struggled to reach those heights, finishing in the bottom four on the NRL ladder in all four of the most recent seasons.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The club is now facing the task of climbing back up the league, but Johns and his wife, Trish, see the investment as a long-term plan\u00a0<\/p>\n

The club is now facing the task of climbing back up the league, with him and his wife, Trish, seeing the investment as a long-term plan.<\/p>\n

Johns also wants to help guide the Titans to their first-ever premiership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former premiership winner has experience owning and managing a company, too.<\/p>\n

While many know him for his media work, Johns is also a co-owner of Steel City Beer Company, alongside his brother Andrew Johns and fellow former players Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley.<\/p>\n

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