An Ayrshire football club has today severed its ties with their main sponsor following a cash row.
Whitletts Victoria FC claim they are owned a “substantial sum” from Clarke ePOS (UK) Ltd who’ve 'repeatedly failed' to honour an agreed schedule of payments.
The outstanding payments stem from a sponsorship deal between the two last season — but Whitletts officials say they have received nothing.
As a result, the West of Scotland Football League Conference A club has today pulled the plug on the deal.
It’s understood that only last week Hugh Clarke, the chief executive of the Clarke ePOS (UK) Ltd, outlined five-year plans for the future of North Ayrshire club Ardeer Thistle.
Businessman and former Junior footballer Clarke took the reins at the Stevenston club and immediately set out a bold and exciting vision for the future.
Mr Clarke also sponsors the Scottish Lowland League.
But a statement from Whitletts Vics read as follows: “Whitletts Victoria FC regretfully confirm that we have terminated our relationship with Clarke ePOS (UK) Ltd as our main club sponsor after the company repeatedly failed to adhere to the agreed schedule of payments last season.”
The statement goes on: “This has left the club out of pocket by a substantial sum and in order to protect the long term interests of the club we have had no alternative but to cut short our original two-year agreement.”
Earlier this week reports emerged that Premiership boys Livingston had also pulled the plug on their association with Clarke ePOS (UK) Ltd ‘with immediate effect’ after a five-figure sum was allegedly unpaid.
League one club Falkirk also claimed that Clarke ePOS (UK) Ltd "failed to meet its payment obligations in full" and that the club was awarded a summary decree after raising a court action to recover the "monies rightfully due".
Whitletts’ statement adds: “The Scottish FA may undertake an investigation into the company’s involvement in Scottish football, therefore the Club will make no further comment on the matter.”
Back in March, Ayrshire Live told how the sale of one of Ayr’s prime sports venues will see a major shake-up for football and rugby in the town.
We told how council chiefs agreed the sale of Dam Park to Ayr Rugby Club- in a move which will see Whitletts Victoria FC return to their home patch with the club set to lease Voluntary Park from the local authority.
Mr Clarke issued a statement. saying: "Unfortunately, due to the effects of coming back from Covid-19, like most businesses it has had a serious knock on effect and we have struggled short term, but we are still working hard to have the outstanding issues resolved and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused."
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