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BBC News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull City Ladies co-owner Daniel Johnson in 'suspected fraud' probe
A football boss has been accused of misusing £250,000 of club funds - including some belonging to an affiliated charity - gambling on its matches, and making sexualised remarks to sources told the BBC that Daniel Johnson, a co-owner and director at Hull City Ladies, used the company bank account to pay for holidays, shopping and gambling, and also claim he "stole" £3,000 from a foundation set up in memory of former goalkeeper Donna BBC understands Mr Johnson has also been reported to the Football Association (FA) for his conduct towards players as young as Johnson did not respond to several attempts made by the BBC to contact him. Humberside Police confirmed it was investigating allegations of "suspected financial fraud" at the club. The FA said it was "working with the club" regarding the player club's other co-owner Rachel Gay said she took the "financial, sporting and wellbeing issues raised extremely seriously". Sources told the BBC the allegations came to light when questions were raised in January about the club's accounts. Mark Nickolay, who became its treasurer last month, said he was "shocked" when receipts "for things like the casino, Tesco, and Amazon" were found in club bank statements. "Daniel Johnson was the only one with access to those funds [the club bank account]," he said."We're talking probably over a quarter of a million pounds, we're not talking a couple of hundred quid."Bank statements from HCLFC Ltd, which runs the club, have been shared with the BBC dating back to September showed payments adding up to almost £400 spent at a bookmakers at a racecourse, while others showed several hundred pounds being spent on the Ticketmaster website and holiday payments in another occasion, there were payments made to a bar in Dublin, which sources claimed coincided with the timing and location of Mr Johnson's stag do. 'We've never seen it' Mr Nickolay, who set up a charitable foundation following the death of his daughter Donna in 2019, alleged Mr Johnson "stole £3,000" that was raised in 2021 in her claimed the funds were initially to be held in the club's bank account until the charity, which supports female footballers, was Nickolay said a request made earlier this year to transfer the funds to the Donna Nickolay Foundation was ignored by Mr Johnson."I'm certain the £3,000 was misused. We've never done anything with it because we've never seen it," said Mr Nickolay."That money could have done so much for a number of people, and he's [Mr Johnson's] taken it. It's not there, we can't find it in the accounts and now there's no money left in the Hull City Ladies accounts."The club's current bank statements show about £50 left in the account. Multiple sources close to the club also told the BBC they believed Mr Johnson gambled on Hull City Ladies BBC has seen an email, sent to the FA by sources close to the club, accusing him of "betting on matches". Humberside Police confirmed it received a report on 9 April and its Economic Crime Unit was investigating reports of "suspected financial fraud".Mr Nickolay said there was "not a chance" this would happen in the men's game."This isn't just 'girls football anymore, it's females representing themselves as females at the highest level. But unfortunately there's a set of rules for the men's and a set of rules for the ladies." The FA administers a test which assesses the suitability of owners and directors to clubs in membership of the National League, the three leagues below, Women's Super League and Women's Hull City Ladies is in tier three of the women's division and is also a limited company, which the FA said it had no governance over. 'He grabbed my shirt' In addition to allegations about club funds, 18 former and current players, sponsors and coaches have submitted statements to the FA about Mr player, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged that his behaviour made girls leave the said: "I have witnessed first-hand multiple girls be driven away from football due to his aggressive and intimidating behaviour and conduct, including kicking footballs directly at girls in a rage - if he thought people weren't paying attention."She claimed he also made comments about her personal life after drinking on a bus back from an away game."He made an extremely aggressive and personal comment regarding my sexual relationships. This made me feel extremely intimidated, embarrassed and upset," she anonymous player described an altercation at training when she was 16. "He came across... shouting, screaming and getting in my face. I remember being terrified and embarrassed because he had done it in front of everyone and as a result of I ended up in tears and walking off."During another training session, she claimed he grabbed her."He came across shouting when he physically grabbed my shirt and put me into position and in that moment, I remember feeling completely useless and embarrassed." Ms Gay said she was aware of the concerns raised by players, club stakeholders and the media about Mr Johnson."I take the financial, sporting and wellbeing issues raised extremely seriously and, with the assistance of my professional advisors, a thorough investigation into all aspects of those concerns is ongoing," she said."However, I wish to be clear that protecting the interests of the club I love, and all of the hard work of those who have its best interests and desire for future success at heart, is my priority."The FA told the BBC it was "very concerned" about the allegations. It added: "We are in contact with the club and their legal representatives about this matter."We will continue to provide the club with support and guidance to ensure that these issues are appropriately addressed, and that the welfare of their players and staff is protected."
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Hull City Ladies co-owner accused of aggressive behaviour towards players
The co-owner of Hull City Ladies Daniel Johnson has been accused of multiple instances of aggressive behaviour that left players scared of him, and of making inappropriate comments about sex, according to written testimony seen by the Guardian. In early April a series of letters about Johnson's alleged conduct at the third-tier club, where he was the first-team manager before he became a director and co-owner, were sent to the Football Association as part of written evidence to support complaints about him. The letters were written by, among others, current and former players, club staff, volunteers and sponsors. The correspondence, some entitled letters of 'no confidence' in Johnson and one as a 'character reference', included claims that Johnson was verbally aggressive towards players on multiple occasions, and that he created a toxic environment where women felt intimidated. He kicked footballs at players in rage on more than one occasion, according to the letters. Johnson was also alleged to have made a reference, loudly in front of witnesses, to having allegedly slept with a player from the team. Johnson was contacted by the Guardian for a response. The letters submitted to the FA state that several players left because they did not wish to play under Johnson and a number of the squad say they will look for a new club if Johnson stays. A group of sponsors said they were withholding funding and would reconsider only if Johnson goes. The FA is understood to be in contact with Hull and offering advice on how the issues raised can be appropriately addressed by the club, although club sources have told the Guardian they are disappointed by the FA's level of involvement so far and are unhappy that Johnson has not been suspended by the FA pending an investigation. The Guardian revealed on 16 April that Johnson had submitted a request to the FA for the club to be relegated, amid allegations of mismanagement of the club's finances being made against him by his own players. Multiple club sources alleged that Johnson's relegation submission was an attempt at retaliation after several squad members criticised him in public social media posts. The FA is understood to have dismissed his request because it considers such requests for voluntary relegation only if submitted formally by clubs, not by an individual. Several club personnel are understood to have had a meeting to discuss the situation with the Emma Hardy, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, who is understood to have requested an urgent meeting with the FA. Players were said to have been in tears after Sunday's final fixture of the season, a 1-1 home draw with Rugby Borough. Hull finished eighth in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Hull City Ladies are not affiliated with the men's Championship team Hull City. Johnson owns 50% of the shares in Hull City Ladies's parent company, HCLFC Limited. After the club received several letters of no confidence in Johnson's leadership as chair, an EGM was held at the club last week to vote in a new chair. Johnson did not attend and remains a director.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull City Ladies' future unclear amid club probe
Hull City Ladies played their final game of the season on Sunday, unsure what the future holds. The 1-1 home draw against Rugby Borough was secured against the backdrop of a police investigation into suspected financial fraud at the club. Humberside Police confirmed its economic crime unit was exploring several lines of inquiry after being contacted earlier this month. The Football Association is currently working with the club. Player Hope Knight, who has been with the team for three seasons, said: "At the team huddle [at half-time], the message was simple, 'this could be our last 45 minutes of Hull City', and it really does get to you." She added: "It's difficult because we give everything - blood sweat and tears to play for this club and we don't know what's happening next season. "We're fighting. We're fighting so hard to be here." Supporter Molly Oxley regularly attends the matches and is also worried about what the club could look like next season. She said: "I feel upset and frustrated as they've built up such a great team in the years that I've been watching them." The club was founded in 2001 and play their home games at Barton Town FC. They are not associated with Hull City AFC. Sunday's draw sealed an eighth-place finish in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division. Police are appealing for anyone who thinks they might have useful information to get in touch. Police investigating fraud at Hull City Ladies Hull City Ladies
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull City Ladies' future unclear amid club probe
Hull City Ladies played their final game of the season on Sunday, unsure what the future holds. The 1-1 home draw against Rugby Borough was secured against the backdrop of a police investigation into suspected financial fraud at the club. Humberside Police confirmed its economic crime unit was exploring several lines of inquiry after being contacted earlier this month. The Football Association is currently working with the club. Player Hope Knight, who has been with the team for three seasons, said: "At the team huddle [at half-time], the message was simple, 'this could be our last 45 minutes of Hull City', and it really does get to you." She added: "It's difficult because we give everything - blood sweat and tears to play for this club and we don't know what's happening next season. "We're fighting. We're fighting so hard to be here." Supporter Molly Oxley regularly attends the matches and is also worried about what the club could look like next season. She said: "I feel upset and frustrated as they've built up such a great team in the years that I've been watching them." The club was founded in 2001 and play their home games at Barton Town FC. They are not associated with Hull City AFC. Sunday's draw sealed an eighth-place finish in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division. Police are appealing for anyone who thinks they might have useful information to get in touch. Police investigating fraud at Hull City Ladies Hull City Ladies
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull City Ladies' future unclear as police probe club finances
Hull City Ladies played their final game of the season on Sunday, unsure what the future 1-1 home draw against Rugby Borough was secured against the backdrop of a police investigation into suspected financial fraud at the Police confirmed its economic crime unit was exploring several lines of inquiry after being contacted earlier this month. The Football Association is currently working with the Hope Knight, who has been with the team for three seasons, said: "At the team huddle [at half-time], the message was simple, 'this could be our last 45 minutes of Hull City', and it really does get to you." She added: "It's difficult because we give everything - blood sweat and tears to play for this club and we don't know what's happening next season."We're fighting. We're fighting so hard to be here."Supporter Molly Oxley regularly attends the matches and is also worried about what the club could look like next said: "I feel upset and frustrated as they've built up such a great team in the years that I've been watching them."The club was founded in 2001 and play their home games at Barton Town FC. They are not associated with Hull City draw sealed an eighth-place finish in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier are appealing for anyone who thinks they might have useful information to get in touch.
