Cash crisis

Hardy plays down reports of unrest after latest wages hold-up
ATHLETIC chief executive Alan Hardy says that the latest non-payment of wages to club employees is a result of cash-flow problems.

For the second month running, players at Boundary Park did not pick up their pay packets on time as expected and non-playing staff are also now waiting on money reaching their accounts.

In February, the blame was put on development investors pulling out as a result of the proposed move to Failsworth hitting the skids.

Hardy said that the current situation will be rectified before the end of this month.

“Paul (Dickov) advised the players and I told the staff about the situation, that they would be paid before the end of this week,” said Hardy, who played down reports of widespread unrest at the latest development at the struggling npower League One club.

“They (the staff) know how difficult things are. Most of them have gone through it before and are supportive.”

Chairman Simon Corney will be present for the game with Tranmere Rovers at Boundary Park tonight, for which the club will pick up £30,000 as a result of the live televised coverage from Sky Sports. That payment is expected to arrive at the club in around two weeks’ time.

Hardy said that he, and the other remaining directors Ian Hill and Trust chairman Barry Owen, were offering as much assistance to Corney as possible in a bid to keep the club afloat.

“Simon has taken on the responsibility of making sure that the club survives,” added Hardy, who reiterated that similar payment delays may reluctantly occur again in the near future.

“As a group of directors we are all trying to help as much as we can, but as a financial commitment it is a big ask.

“We are not the only club facing these sorts of problems.”

Athletic are appealing for fans to turn up in big numbers for tonight’s game in order to boost club coffers.


WARREN Feeney emerged from the substitutes’ bench to play the last 10 minutes for Northern Ireland, who lost their Euro 2012 qualifier 2-1 in Serbia after taking the lead.
The Athletic striker misses the Tranmere clash and will hope to represent his country again when Slovenia visit Windsor Park tomorrow.