Town’s club in jeopardy over cost of legal case

THE FUTURE of football in Ossett has been put in “jeopardy” over a £135,000 compensation bill for an opposition player who broke his ankle, one of the area’s councillors has claimed.

Reece Welsh was awarded the sum for damages and legal fees in a potentially landmark case, after he injured himself playing against Ossett Town for semiprofessional Radcliffe Borough in 2015.

Ossett Town and Ossett Albion merged in 2018 to form Ossett United, who are now liable to pay the bill.

The club warned in November that it may have to sell its Ingfield home if it was unable to crowdfund the compensation. Two months on, a GoFundMe page has raised just £5,600 of the £135,000.

Now, Wakefield Council has said it will look into the case to see if it can offer any support to the club, which currently plays in English football’s eighth tier, after ward Councillor Nick Farmer raised the issue at a meeting.

Coun Farmer said: “The league’s recommended insurance policy didn’t protect Ossett from damages or legal fees.

“This case has massive implications for sports clubs in our district and every sports club in the country.

“It’s put the future of football in the town in jeopardy.

“There’s a strong possibility the ground may have to be sold to fund the court order.

“Please could (the council) advise what support, if any, they may be able to offer.”

Councillor Jacquie Speight, the authority’s portfolio holder for leisure, said she would “take a look” at the issue and report back.

She added: “Ossett is the football capital of the Wakefield district. I have read about the case and I do have a lot of concerns about it.”

Welsh was awarded just under £20,000 in damages but Ossett are also liable for the legal costs, bringing the total order to £135,000.