Staff at Direct Golf have become the subjects a tug-of-war between the Milnsbridge company and sportswear giant Sports Direct, according to an employee.

The employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said staff had seen trouble brewing for a while.

But the member of staff said the situation had escalated into a “full-on farce.”

The employee said that staff had been working as normal on Friday when men they understood to be working for Sports Direct began attempting to change the locks of the Bankwell Road premises.

The member of staff said: “An employee went out for a cigarette and she came back and said that someone was trying to change the locks.

(Direct Golf boss) John Andrew was at a meeting with his solicitors in Manchester and no-one was aware of what was going on.

“John told us to call the police. The police took half an hour to arrive and it descended into a childish situation where everyone was trying to video everyone else.”

Read more: Direct Golf boss John Andrew blasts Sports Direct over 'attempt to commandeer' Huddersfield headquarters

John Andrew, founder of Direct Golf, guards his Milnsbridge property after his locks were cut.
John Andrew, founder of Direct Golf, guards his Milnsbridge property after his locks were cut.

The employee said Direct Golf staff would probably keep their jobs – but nobody knew who they would be working for.

The member of staff said: “As far as I’m aware we have our jobs to go back to. We’ve not been told otherwise.

“We don’t know if the business is in administration. It depends who you ask.”

The employee added: “We sort of knew there was trouble for a while. There had been rumblings.

“This has escalated over the last 10 days. It started off a bit worrying and it’s become a full-on farce.”

Direct Golf UK, Milnsbridge
Direct Golf UK, Milnsbridge

There had been rumours around town and in golfing circles over the future of Direct Golf all last week but the firm would not comment.

Mr Andrew told the Examiner he would be speaking to his staff on Monday and that he hoped to “put their minds at rest.”

He added: “Some of these people have been working for me for 10 years and I’m going to invite them to a meeting and send them letters to put their minds at rest.”

Mr Andrew said he may organise a demonstration with placards outside the Milnsbridge premises on Monday.

To add to the confusion, the employee said he had been told that staff at the stores had been given letters saying they were now employed by Sports Direct.