Hull City Ladies co-owner accused of aggressive behaviour towards players | OneFootball

The co-owner of Hull City Ladies Daniel Johnson has been accused of multiple instances of aggressive behaviour that left players scared of him, and of making inappropriate comments about sex, according to written testimony seen by the Guardian.

In early April a series of letters about Johnson’s alleged conduct at the third-tier club, where he was the first-team manager before he became a director and co-owner, were sent to the Football Association as part of written evidence to support complaints about him. The letters were written by, among others, current and former players, club staff, volunteers and sponsors.

The correspondence, some entitled letters of “no confidence” in Johnson and one as a “character reference”, included claims that Johnson was verbally aggressive towards players on multiple occasions, and that he created a toxic environment where women felt intimidated. He kicked footballs at players in rage on more than one occasion, according to the letters.

Johnson was also alleged to have made a reference, loudly in front of witnesses, to having allegedly slept with a player from the team. Johnson was contacted by the Guardian for a response.

The letters submitted to the FA state that several players left because they did not wish to play under Johnson and a number of the squad say they will look for a new club if Johnson stays. A group of sponsors said they were withholding funding and would reconsider only if Johnson goes.

An FA spokesperson told the Guardian: “We are very concerned about the allegations raised with us, and we are in regular contact with the club and their legal representatives about this matter. We will continue to provide the club with support and guidance to ensure that these issues are appropriately addressed, and that the welfare of their players and staff is protected.”

Sources at the club have told the Guardian they are disappointed that the FA has not suspended Johnson pending an investigation. However, it is understood the FA has no authority to remove directors at clubs in the Women’s National League, which does not have an owners’ and directors’ test because clubs in the league are not required to have owners or directors, and many members clubs have neither. However, reviewing the governance structure of women’s lower-league clubs is understood to be a priority for the governing body.

The Guardian revealed on 16 April that Johnson had submitted a request to the FA for the club to be relegated, amid allegations of mismanagement of the club’s finances being made against him by his own players. Multiple club sources alleged that Johnson’s relegation submission was an attempt at retaliation after several squad members criticised him in public social media posts. The FA is understood to have dismissed his request because it considers such requests for voluntary relegation only if submitted formally by clubs, not by an individual.

Several club personnel are understood to have had a meeting to discuss the situation with the Emma Hardy, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, who is understood to have requested an urgent meeting with the FA.

Players were said to have been in tears after Sunday’s final fixture of the season, a 1-1 home draw with Rugby Borough. Hull finished eighth in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division.

Hull City Ladies are not affiliated with the men’s Championship team Hull City. Johnson owns 50% of the shares in Hull City Ladies’s parent company, HCLFC Limited.

After the club received several letters of no confidence in Johnson’s leadership as chair, an EGM was held at the club last week to vote in a new chair. Johnson did not attend and remains a director.

Header image: [Illustration: HCL]