Chesterfield's Ashley Carson apologises over "nightmare" Spireites-linked football academy as club settles debt

The company secretary has revealed the club has now settled a claim of £45,000 in full with the liquidator, Phillip Booth.

Mr Carson said he felt it was appropriate to apologise “for the fact that this total mess ran out of control over a period of time” and added “there are absolutely no other skeletons to jump out.”

Although the academy was legally separate from the Spireites it was linked to the club.

It was run by former Chesterfield CEO Chris Turner and football coach Liam Sutcliffe.

In July 2018, Chesterfield were fined £12,500 by the FA after it was found that Spireites players Myles Wright and Jake Orrell both had their wages paid by the academy.

Turner resigned as a director of the academy in August 2016 before it eventually went into liquidation in March 2017 owing around £250,000.

Mr Carson said: “The whole arrangement between the Development School and CFC was a total disaster, nightmare and embarrassment for the CFC board and in particular myself and Dave Allen.

“This was a major contributing factor to the departure of Chris Turner from his position within the club.”

Mr Carson added: “I knew that we certainly owed them a minimum of nearly £20,000 resulting in illegal wages being made to three of our players, the rest was fiercely fought against and thank you to Howard Freeman of Shorts and Keebles Solicitors, for fighting our corner extremely efficiently.

“It finally came down to a commercial settlement. It was either this or facing a legal battle with no guarantees. I was also keen to settle this to eliminate any potential purchasers of the club uncovering this as part of any due-diligence with no closure.

“Considering that their initial claim was in excess of £150,000, we agreed a full and final settlement of £45,000. The payment was to be made at £9,000 a month for five months, which has now been paid off in full.

“There are absolutely no other skeletons to jump out and absolutely nothing to be found within due-diligence that would have a negative effect on purchasing the club.”