Lindley WMC, known popularly as the Kit Kat Club, has shut its doors and been put into administration the Examiner can reveal.

Administrator Chris Wood, of Clough Corporate Solutions, Cleckheaton, said the decision was a direct result of a claim of more than £30,000 brought by football legend Bobby Campbell who was sensationally charged with fraud after 25 years as club steward but who is now pursuing a claim for unfair dismissal after the case was discontinued.

That claim was due to be heard over Thursday and Friday at an Employment Tribunal hearing in Leeds but that will not now go ahead.

But one angry member of the Brian Street club, a man who has been there for 16 years, said: “This decision has been taken without consulting the members.

“We were told there was a meeting on Tuesday but it wasn’t a meeting; simply a few people who had heard what was happening and did their best to drink the place dry.

“One man and his wife were blamed for all the problems and that was so wrong. They were vindicated”.

Bobby Campbell and wife Paula celebrate the discontinuation of the fraud case against them at Leeds Crown Court
Bobby Campbell and wife Paula after the discontinuation of the fraud case against them at Leeds Crown Court

Another member added: “It’s a shame. The club dates back to 1910/11 and at one time had 400 to 500 members but now that number is down to around 100.”

Mr Wood who has been appointed jointly as administrator, along with Andrew Waudby, said: “It’s not closed for ever and I genuinely hope to see it reopen in a short period of time.

“I have been in conversations with various people about it. I could have applied for an emergency liquor licence but the costs are prohibitive.

“There is now an opportunity for the club to consider its position regarding the claim made by Mr Campbell and taking the best way forward in ensuring creditors get paid.”

Asked if Mr Campbell’s claim had triggered the decision to put the club into administration he replied: “Yes. It was the rather large straw that broke the back of the camel in terms of liabilities.

“Clubs of this nature are unlikely to have £40,000 cash in hand if the claim was successful for that amount.

“That claim was due to take place tomorrow but will not now take place. We will speak with the tribunal. It will have to be dealt with.”

Asked what his immediate priorities are today, he said: “To secure the premises and instruct agencies to indicate value of property and assets of the club that can be realised. There is the possibility of selling off land which would attract interest from builders and developers.

“The value of assets is significantly greater than the liabilities. Creditors will get paid in full but I don’t know when.”

In October, Mr Campbell, a former Northern Ireland international, who played for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City, celebrated after the prosecution asked a court in Leeds to formally discontinue a fraud case against him and his wife Paula, involving a sum of just less than £10,000.

The judge agreed bringing to an end 18 months of hell for the couple.