Scafatese, a club hailing from the province of Salerno, is making headlines across Italy, and their remarkable ascent is largely thanks to the vision and investment of one man: Felice Romano. The club recently secured promotion to Serie C, completing an undefeated season in Serie D – a feat rarely seen in Italian football. But Romano’s story extends far beyond the pitch, rooted in a family legacy of food production and a recent, significant partnership with a global brand.
Romano, an entrepreneur in the food industry specializing in tomatoes and prepared sauces, boldly predicted promotion “by Christmas” when addressing the team last August. While the timeline was slightly off, the result was undeniable. Scafatese clinched their spot in Serie C on March 22nd, defeating Monastir 4-1 and establishing a commanding 19-point lead over the second-place team with six matches still to play.
Unbeaten Run and Dominant Form
Scafatese’s season has been nothing short of exceptional. They are currently the only undefeated team in all levels of Italian professional football, a remarkable achievement that places them among a select few clubs across Europe with similar records. Beyond their defensive solidity, Scafatese boasts the most prolific attack and the tightest defense in Serie D. Their last defeat came in the playoff stages of the previous season, on May 18, 2025 – marking the beginning of Romano’s tenure with the club.
This season, the team has amassed 22 wins and 6 draws, totaling 72 points. A mid-season managerial change saw the departure of Gianluca Esposito, despite a strong record of 32 points and a comfortable lead in the standings, following a string of four consecutive draws. Giovanni Ferraro, a former Scafatese player, was appointed as the novel head coach and continued the team’s winning momentum.
A Departure and Continued Ambition
Adding a layer of intrigue to the season, team manager Antonio “Totò” Di Natale resigned following the appointment of Ferraro. The former Empoli and Udinese striker, a local favorite from Naples and Pomigliano d’Arco, expressed his disagreement with the coaching change, stating simply, “I am contrary to the choice.”
Despite this internal shift, Romano remained optimistic and focused on the future. He was carried off the field in celebration after the promotion-clinching victory, already setting his sights on the next challenge. “In two years, we will be in Serie B,” he declared, reaffirming his commitment to the club and confirming the retention of the entire technical staff and squad for the upcoming season.
The Business Behind the Football
Romano’s success with Scafatese is underpinned by the strength of his family business, “La Regina di San Marzano,” founded by his father, Antonio, in 1983. The company has grown into a major player in the tomato and sauce industry, with a significant presence in the American market, where it operates its own production facility. In 2024, the group reported a revenue of 367 million euros, with an additional 70 million euros generated by the American branch. Annual production exceeds 170 million jars of prepared sauces and 60 million cans of peeled tomatoes.
A Landmark Partnership with Campbell’s
In December of last year, La Regina di San Marzano solidified its position with a strategic partnership with Campbell’s, the iconic American food company famously depicted in Andy Warhol’s artwork. The agreement saw Campbell’s acquire a 49% stake in both La Regina di San Marzano and its American affiliate, La Regina Atlantica, for a substantial investment of 286 million dollars. Half of this investment was made in non-registered Campbell’s shares. The primary goal of this collaboration is to strengthen the Rao’s brand, a specialty sauce line, with ambitions to surpass one billion dollars in annual revenue.
Felice Romano’s journey from tomato entrepreneur to football club president is a testament to his ambition and business acumen. With Scafatese’s promotion to Serie C, and Romano’s stated goal of reaching Serie B within two years, the club’s story is far from over. The combination of astute leadership, strategic investment, and a winning team promises an exciting future for Scafatese and its passionate fanbase.
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