Petty article

Home

SWANS LOTTERY IS PROBED BY POLICE
18:00 - 05 January 2002

DETECTIVES are investigating a lucky dip and lottery competition of which Swansea City soccer club is the main beneficiary.

Officers from Swansea Central have begun probing the £1 a week Striker competition after allegations that it is being mismanaged.

Up to half the fund, which is also subscribed to by Swansea Rugby Club, should be paid in prize money and funding a syndicate in the National Lottery.

It is claimed that in some areas of Swansea payments have been as low as 10 per cent and that there have been a number of winners coming from Bristol.

Today Queens Park Rangers, who Swansea City played in a televised cup match, revealed they are still owed their share of the gate receipts.

The Evening Post has discovered a cheque for more than £10,000 was issued to QPR but then stopped by controversial Swans chairman Tony Petty.

QPR held on to cash they took for ticket sales to their own supporters in West London for the November first round FA Cup match.

A spokesman said today: ''We are still waiting for the balance of what we are owed and have been in constant discussion with Swansea and the FA.'' The chief executive of the club John Shuttleworth has not been in touch with the Vetch since December 13 when he took leave to attend to a serious illness in his family.

A spokesman for the Swans said: ''He is not answering his mobile phone.'' The fort is being held by Don Goss, ground safety officer, who was appointed a director by Mr Petty.

Mr Petty has been in touch by phone from Australia and has also had talks with the Professional Footballers Association which has picked up this month's wage tab for the players after they were told on Christmas Eve there was no money to pay their wages.

Back