Direct Golf boss John Andrew has accused sportswear giant Sports Direct of ‘illegally’ attempting to commandeer his business – leaving workers in limbo.
Mr Andrew’s company – the UK’s second biggest golf retailer – has become embroiled in what is thought to be a bitter boardroom battle for control of the Huddersfield company.
Sports Direct, which has a 25% share in the company, is run by high-profile but secretive billionaire retailer Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United FC.
It is alleged Sports Direct changed the locks at Mr Andrew’s premises in Milnsbridge on Friday, the day after the company went into administration.
Around 40 Direct Golf workers employed at the Bankwell Road offices were ordered out and were left fearing for their jobs over the weekend.
The firm also employs around 140 staff at its 20 stores across the UK, including one in Leeds Road, Huddersfield. All the stores are believed to be still trading.
Following a fall in profits – and advice from its insolvency firm Begbies Traynor – Direct Golf filed for administration, it is understood.
But Sports Direct is alleged to have attempted to head off Begbies Traynor by filing its own wind-up proceedings.
Now former golfing pro Mr Andrew has accused Sports Direct of acting illegally and bullying.
Mr Andrew said he had changed the locks back and employed guards to protect his premises.
He told the Examiner: “They are trying to put their own administrators in to control their position. I own this property personally.
“They came down with their own people and tried to change the locks illegally so I called the police.
Battle for Direct Golf UK
“I asked them to leave and I’ve had to employ security on my premises at my cost.
“They came down with a saw and started cutting my locks. What’s more distressing is there’s a health and safety concern.”
The premises also house other businesses and Mr Andrew added: “They gave no consideration to that or my tenants.
“They’re trying to bully us out of the way. They didn’t speak to anyone. They just started changing the locks.”
Mr Andrew declined to say whether staff at the Milnsbridge site would have jobs to return to.
But he said: “We’ve been trying to negotiate a way forward. I offered them (Sports Direct) a majority stakeholding as an investment and I put personal property into the deal.”
Mr Andrew, of Shelley, added: “The staff are scared to death and the business is at a standstill and it’s not in anyone’s interest.”
Read more: Workers in limbo over future of stricken Direct Golf
While the stores remain open a notice on the ‘contact us’ section of the firm’s website says: “Please note: Due to technical difficulties our phone service is currently suspended.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You can request a callback from one of our team, who will respond to your request as soon as possible.”
Sports Direct’s chairman is former West Yorkshire Chief Constable and Government drugs tsar Keith Hellawell, who lives in Huddersfield.
Direct Golf teamed up with Sports Direct last year and aimed to expand into Europe.
At the time Mr Andrew said: “Teaming up with Sports Direct is a fantastic opportunity for us and will give Direct Golf access to many new and attractive market opportunities.
“This deal gives the company the funding to realise our goal of becoming Europe’s leading golf retail company, by expanding our existing store portfolio with the roll-out of a golf superstore concept.”
In May this year Direct Golf branched out into bike retailing, launching its first Bike-Shed.com store in the Direct Golf premises in Leeds Road.
Mr Andrew said he hoped to cash in on the boom in cycling.
The Examiner contacted Mr Hellawell and Sports Direct for a comment but neither responded.
