Club settles redundancy claim with former chief
ASTRUGGLING football club has confirmed that a tribunal claim has been settled with its former CEO.
Merthyr Town FC‘s newly-elected board has issued a public apology to its former CEO, Robert Price, after reviewing its redundancy.
A statement issued by the board of the fan-owned club said they had reviewed the redundancy and found “it fell well below the standards” expected. Mr Price ceased employment with the club in August 2017.
The board has made a public apology to Mr Price, confirmed a tribunal claim has been settled and has said it is grateful that Mr Price declined a financial settlement offered by the board in connection with that agreement.
The club statement said: “The newlyelected board have now had the opportunity to review the redundancy of the former CEO, Rob Price and have concluded that this fell well below the standards we would expect. Therefore, the interim board would like to personally apologise to Rob for the way his redundancy was handled by the previous Board, and the unprofessional manner in which he was personally treated.
“The board feel that we should make a public apology to Rob if there has been any implication, directly, or indirectly from the previous Board that Rob had any involvement in the financial predicament of the club as we can confirm this is not the case.
“The board has always had total control of all finances and in particular, spending, and must take sole responsibility as to the financial position the club finds itself in today.”
It comes after Merthyr Town FC was thrust into crisis in November when the club said it had to make significant savings on and off the pitch, cut the playing budget significantly – resulting in 80% of players leaving.
A JustGiving page was set up to pay off the club’s HMRC bill, with the target set to £25,000 after a public meeting at the club.
That bill was paid in December, while figures released at a special general meeting on December 21 showed the debt at that point was £90,000 – including a £30,000 overdraft. In March, a new Board was elected.
Meanwhile, an independent inquiry has been sanctioned to find out how the club has found itself in the financial difficulties it is facing.