A war over words has erupted between Huddersfield Town and the club’s ladies’ team.

Town ended what it described as a “loose affiliation” after a row over a lack of financial support.

The club has removed permission for Huddersfield Town Ladies FC to use its name, kit and logos from the end of this season.

Town said the clubs had a “loose affiliation” but Town ladies chairman David Mallin said the two clubs had agreed a “formal” link back in 2010.

Mr Mallin said the club had tried to make out that it only had minimal links to the ladies’ team.

He pointed out an article published in the Examiner in March 2010 in which the two clubs agreed a “new official link.”

In the article Town’s commercial director Sean Jarvis is quoted as saying: “There was a loose agreement in the past but I am really pleased that we have made a more official arrangement.

“Huddersfield Town Ladies use our crest and represent our club in their field so I feel that it is important that they are officially affiliated.

“Ladies’ football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and hopefully this new relationship will open us up to a new audience and attract families to the club.”

Mr Mallin claimed Town’s reference to “loose” ties was inaccurate though he admitted there was no formal written agreement.

In May the ladies’ team won promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League North – replacing relegated Leeds United Ladies – and Mr Mallin approached Mr Jarvis about increasing levels of support.

The ladies’ team, which last year had travel, training and other expenses of £7,500, has also invested in facilities at its Storthes Hall ground.

Town had supported the ladies’ side with discounted kit, free match tickets and use of facilities at the Canalside training complex.

But Mr Mallin asked for more and, in an email released to the Examiner, questioned Town’s commitment to the partnership.

Mr Mallin said that the ladies’ team was initially buying kit from Town at “cost price” until a new Puma deal saw prices rise sharply. The cost of a tracksuit, for example, increased from £32 to almost £50.

The club then offered kit at a “staff discount” instead. Mr Mallin said Town charged the ladies £1,158.75 for kit but claimed he could buy Nike-branded kit separately, fully badged and with sponsors’ logos, for just £850.

Sean Jarvis
Sean Jarvis

Town had given the ladies 25 free tickets per game but that was reduced to 15.

Use of a 3G pitch at Canalside was offered but Mr Mallin believed the times would be “not the most convenient.”

Town also offered to stage a women and girls’ tournament at Canalside but Mr Mallin said the ladies would benefit more from it being held at Storthes Hall.

Mr Mallin wrote: “Sean, as you can see from the above it appears that any benefit hasn’t been ours!

“We are trying our very best to promote women’s football at the highest level in the region but our committee have become more and more frustrated by HTAFC’s lack of support, or is it interest?

“Your academy at every level is fully kitted out free of charge. The simple gesture of supplying one free kit to our first team squad would have been fully appreciated by us and cost a Championship club such as yours very little, if indeed anything.”

In a formal written response, also seen by the Examiner, Mr Jarvis replied: “Suffice to say I do not agree with the allegations made in your email about how the club has failed to support Huddersfield Ladies FC since it began its relationship with the club in March 2010.

“However, what is clear from your email, is that there is no basis for continuing such relationship and accordingly, by way of this letter, the club hereby gives notice that as from May 31 2015 the ladies’ team will no longer be the official ladies’ team of the club and will not have any further association with the club.”

Mr Mallin said he wanted to sit down with Town chairman Dean Hoyle and resolve matters.

Town declined to comment.