Football club boss in £250k 'suspected fraud' probe

Daniel Johnson is a co-owner and director at Hull City Ladies

A football boss has been accused of misusing £250,000 of club funds - including some belonging to an affiliated charity - gambling on its matches, and making sexualised remarks to players.

Multiple sources told the BBC that Daniel Johnson, a co-owner and director at Hull City Ladies, used the company bank account to pay for holidays, shopping and gambling, and also claim he "stole" £3,000 from a foundation set up in memory of former goalkeeper Donna Nickolay.

The BBC understands Mr Johnson has also been reported to the Football Association (FA) for his conduct towards players as young as 16.

Mr Johnson did not respond to several attempts made by the BBC to contact him.

Humberside Police confirmed it was investigating allegations of "suspected financial fraud" at the club.

The FA said it was "working with the club" regarding the player allegations.

The club's other co-owner Rachel Gay said she took the "financial, sporting and wellbeing issues raised extremely seriously".

Hull City Ladies won the FA Women's National League Division One North in 2024

Sources told the BBC the allegations came to light when questions were raised in January about the club's accounts.

Mark Nickolay, who became its treasurer last month, said he was "shocked" when receipts "for things like the casino, Tesco, and Amazon" were found in club bank statements.

"Daniel Johnson was the only one with access to those funds [the club bank account]," he said.

"We're talking probably over a quarter of a million pounds, we're not talking a couple of hundred quid."

Bank statements from HCLFC Ltd, which runs the club, have been shared with the BBC dating back to September 2021.

One showed payments adding up to almost £400 spent at a bookmakers at a racecourse, while others showed several hundred pounds being spent on the Ticketmaster website and holiday payments in Suffolk.

On another occasion, there were payments made to a bar in Dublin, which sources claimed coincided with the timing and location of Mr Johnson's stag do.

'We've never seen it'

Mr Nickolay, who set up a charitable foundation following the death of his daughter Donna in 2019, alleged Mr Johnson "stole £3,000" that was raised in 2021 in her memory.

He claimed the funds were initially to be held in the club's bank account until the charity, which supports female footballers, was registered.

Mr Nickolay said a request made earlier this year to transfer the funds to the Donna Nickolay Foundation was ignored by Mr Johnson.

"I'm certain the £3,000 was misused. We've never done anything with it because we've never seen it," said Mr Nickolay.

"That money could have done so much for a number of people, and he's [Mr Johnson's] taken it. It's not there, we can't find it in the accounts and now there's no money left in the Hull City Ladies accounts."

The club's current bank statements show about £50 left in the account.

Mark Nickolay became the club's treasurer last month

Multiple sources close to the club also told the BBC they believed Mr Johnson gambled on Hull City Ladies games.

The BBC has seen an email, sent to the FA by sources close to the club, accusing him of "betting on matches".

Humberside Police confirmed it received a report on 9 April and its Economic Crime Unit was investigating reports of "suspected financial fraud".

Mr Nickolay said there was "not a chance" this would happen in the men's game.

"This isn't just 'girls football anymore, it's females representing themselves as females at the highest level. But unfortunately there's a set of rules for the men's and a set of rules for the ladies."

The FA administers a test which assesses the suitability of owners and directors to clubs in membership of the National League, the three leagues below, Women's Super League and Women's Championship.

However, Hull City Ladies is in tier three of the women's division and is also a limited company, which the FA said it had no governance over.

'He grabbed my shirt'

In addition to allegations about club funds, 18 former and current players, sponsors and coaches have submitted statements to the FA about Mr Johnson.

One player, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged that his behaviour made girls leave the club.

She said: "I have witnessed first-hand multiple girls be driven away from football due to his aggressive and intimidating behaviour and conduct, including kicking footballs directly at girls in a rage - if he thought people weren't paying attention."

She claimed he also made comments about her personal life after drinking on a bus back from an away game.

"He made an extremely aggressive and personal comment regarding my sexual relationships. This made me feel extremely intimidated, embarrassed and upset," she said.

Another anonymous player described an altercation at training when she was 16.

"He came across... shouting, screaming and getting in my face. I remember being terrified and embarrassed because he had done it in front of everyone and as a result of I ended up in tears and walking off."

During another training session, she claimed he grabbed her.

"He came across shouting when he physically grabbed my shirt and put me into position and in that moment, I remember feeling completely useless and embarrassed."

Hull City Ladies is in tier three of the women's division

Ms Gay said she was aware of the concerns raised by players, club stakeholders and the media about Mr Johnson.

"I take the financial, sporting and wellbeing issues raised extremely seriously and, with the assistance of my professional advisors, a thorough investigation into all aspects of those concerns is ongoing," she said.

"However, I wish to be clear that protecting the interests of the club I love, and all of the hard work of those who have its best interests and desire for future success at heart, is my priority."

The FA told the BBC it was "very concerned" about the allegations.

It added: "We are in 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."