Middlesex County Cricket Club has announced the recovery of £100,000 in unauthorised payments made to its former chief executive. The club had alleged that the funds were wrongly claimed in expenses but will not pursue criminal charges after police closed an eight-month investigation, concluding that no criminal offences had been committed.
The controversy began when the club reported its former CEO to the police in May, claiming he had fraudulently claimed tens of thousands of pounds in unauthorised expenses between 2016 and 2021. However, following a detailed investigation, authorities determined there was no basis for criminal proceedings.
The former CEO has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has taken legal action against the club, filing a personal injury claim in the high court. He was not informed that the club had successfully recovered the disputed sum from a bank and an insurance company. He stated that the police’s decision came as no surprise, as he had always maintained his innocence. He also noted that the complaint was only made three years after his departure, shortly after he initiated legal proceedings against the club.
Middlesex has not commented on the police’s decision but issued a statement confirming that £100,000 had been recovered. The amount was made up of £57,000 in unauthorised cheques paid into the former CEO’s bank account and a further £43,000 in payments into his pension fund, which the club deemed ineligible. The organisation expressed gratitude to the financial institutions involved in ensuring the money was refunded but refrained from discussing the police’s findings.
The club first raised concerns after the former CEO resigned due to ill health in 2021. In September 2023, Middlesex made a public statement confirming that legal action was being pursued against him, with barristers instructed. However, a formal police complaint was only lodged eight months after he had filed his own civil claim against the club.
His health had played a significant role in his departure, as he had suffered a stroke during a committee meeting in April 2021. The club formally announced his resignation three months later. Shortly thereafter, he was informed that the club believed he owed tens of thousands of pounds in illegitimate expense claims, including substantial sums for parking fines and hotel stays.
A prolonged legal dispute has since unfolded, with Middlesex seeking repayment while he has claimed the club withheld a significant portion of his severance package. The situation remained private until September 2023, when Middlesex published a statement on its website. In response, he publicly rejected all allegations, describing the ongoing legal threats and financial demands as distressing for him and his family.
He asserted that the club had continuously pursued claims against him for nearly three years without providing evidence or a clear legal case. He also pointed out that despite the public statements made by Middlesex, no formal case had been filed, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that their investigation into the matter had been closed. Authorities stated that after a detailed assessment, no criminal offences could be identified. However, they indicated that the case could be reopened if new evidence emerged.
The dispute is part of a turbulent period for Middlesex, which has faced financial and governance difficulties in recent years. While the former CEO was in charge, the club uncovered a significant error in pension contributions, leading to a shortfall that cost them approximately £350,000.
Governance issues have persisted, with several board members resigning over the past two years. Additionally, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) imposed a suspended points deduction and a £50,000 fine on the club in 2023 due to financial irregularities. The club has also faced penalties from HMRC for failing to file accounts on time in relation to its recreational arm, Middlesex Cricket Board.
Due to these financial challenges, the ECB placed Middlesex under “special measures,” allowing them to attend board meetings and oversee the club’s financial management.
Middlesex suffered significant financial losses in 2021, with a reported deficit of £952,000 that reduced their net assets to £179,000 down from £2 million just two years prior. However, their finances have since stabilised, with the club posting a profit of £131,000 in 2023. This was their first profit in seven years, though it was achieved largely through cost-cutting measures that have impacted the team’s performance.
