Club comes under scrutiny

CRICKET:

INVESTIGATIONS into the financial affairs of local cricket clubs have included the Lake Garage CLL, league secretary Alan Wright has confirmed.

The Chronicle reported that Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League club Austerlands had been landed with a bill for £8,000 following HMRC intervention.

That was reduced following discussions beteeen both bodies.

Austerlands’ debt relates to unpaid National Insurance contributions, and the fact remains that cricket clubs will continue to face similar probes into their finances.

Walsden are the only CLL club to be selected by HRMC, but there will be others if HMRC continues its stance.

Said Mr Wright: “I understand that one CLL club (Walsden) has been contacted by HMRC and I believe there are ongoing discussions.

“The last I heard was that they (HMRC) were going back six years into Walsden’s affairs.”

The Chronicle understands some local cricket clubs are not fully aware of their financial obligations, particularly those relating to professionals. It is these unintentional oversights the HMRC is keen to bring to light.