Anger over sentence on Huddersfield Town chief Nigel Clibbens

Dec 9 2009 By Neil Atkinson

Clibbens’ solicitor, Mark Croft, said a driving ban would place his client, who joined Huddersfield Town in January 2008, under “exceptional hardship”.

Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle had told him he would regrettably lose his job if he could not drive to functions and matches he was required to attend.

And the Coca Cola League club were unable to pay for taxis or provide him with a chauffeur-driven car, the court heard.

Clibbens, 41, told the hearing: “I have had a conversation with Mr Hoyle and the other directors on the board. Their belief is that I can’t do the job.”

Mr Croft said taking taxis could cost Clibbens, of Butts Lane, Lumby, Leeds, more than £50 a day and he could not afford it.

Clibbens said: “That would be financially impossible. We are, like most people, just about surviving. In the good times, my wife’s business provides a cushion, but she’s struggling as well.

“I think, realistically, I don’t know where I would get another job from.”

Mr Croft said Clibbens and his wife both had good incomes, but almost all of it was taken up with mortgage and loan repayments.

Their two children would have had to change schools if Clibbens could not drive.

Chairman of the bench Lorraine Jeffery said it was accepted that a driving ban would cause him exceptional hardship.

She gave Clibbens four points on his licence and ordered him to pay a £150 fine, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.