Huddersfield face administration and points deduction as prospective owner emerges

Huddersfield Town face administration and a points deduction as a prospective owner emerges and could be vital for their future.

Rene Neelissen, a Dutch businessman and owner of AZ Alkmaar, is reportedly interested in buying an English club with Huddersfield in mind.

Alkmaar are performing well under Neelissen, and they had an impressive Conference League win against Lazio in Italy last week.

Huddersfield Town administration and takeover rumours explained and what may come next | @StevenChicken#htafc https://t.co/f880BdbIJv

— Huddersfield Town – Yorkshire Live (@ExaminerHTAFC) March 11, 2023

Huddersfield are thought to be looking for new owners, but face difficulty getting anyone to pay their asking price despite numerous interested parties.

A lot of working out is being done to see who gets what in a complicated deal, with a group of Americans also interested but have been waiting for weeks.

Gary Mellor, a well-known English deal-maker, advises them to go for the deal.

Huddersfield however may go into administration, before being quickly taken out of it should one of these parties choose to help them out.

They will be issued a 12-point penalty should they fall into administration by Thursday.

This would effectively relegate Terriers, who currently sit 23rd place in the Championship, six points from safety.

Neil Warnock had been optimistic of steering Huddersfield out of the drop zone. However, he has only one win from five games.

SEE MORE: Wigan at risk of points deduction as the club issue a statement

EXCLUSIVE: Huddersfield could go into administration and face points deduction within days – but prospective owner emerges https://t.co/CfcQsarWVF

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) March 11, 2023

According to ExaminerLive, this isn’t the first time that club members have refused to comment on questions regarding their status with regard to takeovers or new ownership.

They cancelled a meeting scheduled with supporters’ groups in February, claiming that the process and discussions over the future John Smith’s Stadium were at a’very sensitive’ stage.

Yet it seems, the club’s problems off the pitch go as far back as prior to the 2022/23 campaign as in November 2021, a number of businesses owned by Phil Hodgkinson went into administration, resulting in his resignation as chairman.

Dean Hoyle, who is the owner for 25% of the club, was named as his successor and committed to fund the Terriers, previously doing this as the sole owner, before selling the majority stake to Hodgkinson.

Dave Baldwin was appointed as managing director to replace Hoyle and find a new owner.

Hoyle was at that point in negotiations to purchase back Hodgkinson’s 75% stake in the club. Baldwin stated in October that they were ‘close to the finish line’.

After Baldwin was also questioned by Hoyle how long he would continue to fund the club, Baldwin responded back: “In perpetuity until such time as a new custodian (Hoyle’s proposed takeover from Hodgkinson), that’s already three years that’s been committed towards as a business.”

The club would be handed a 12-point penalty, and should this come before Thursday, for them this would hit them this season. Their penalty would be carried over to next season if it occurs after that date.

If the club goes into administration, they may be placed under a transfer embargo by the English Football League, meaning they can sell players but be restricted as to who they sign, with free agents the likely case.

This is what fans said as Huddersfield face administration and points deduction while a prospective owner emerges…

@JackMath_: The Dutch bloke over the Americans for me, clearly knows how to run a club at AZ Alkmaar #htafc

@Petchaaaaaay:
I’d actually welcome Administration… #htafc
Get the Pre-Administration Deal Sorted.
Take the 12 point hit this season, with Relegation looking inevitable.
Let the New Owners come in.
Clean slate in League One.
At least it give us a Fighting Chance!
Not ideal, but only way 🤷‍♂️👀

@RichardKosmala: Woke up feeling sad today about #htafc in many ways. I can handle the ups and downs being a fan of sport but for me values in life are everything and doing things the right way are very Important to me. Hope we get our club back soon with people who love it like we do

@ColinFrontczak: Shame that a recent premier league club, a former league champion and FA cup winner is not garnering more media attention for heading towards administration #htafc

@ToddConnor9: Time to stop blaming management and put it entirely on the owners/board. Squad is horrendous, recruitment has been abysmal, was only ever going to end in relegation. #htafc

@gmi2: Good luck shifting season tickets if we start League One with a 12 point deduction #htafc

@htafcChris1994: I’m not an expert on football finance but I’d prefer for a takeover to happen without the need for entering administration. Administration is a scary word and a place where some clubs are never the same again once they re-emerge. #htafc @officialhtsa @TTCMatt

@pete_3200: #htafc Knowing how Huddersfield are run at the moment, we will go into administration a day too late, get relegated, and have points deducted next season.

@LeeTheTerrier: I’m a little heartbroken by the administration talks. I remember the last time, shaking buckets as you walked in. I have no idea how we got to this point. 😢 #htafc

@rimmimgton: Feel for Huddersfield no fans deserve this, been there and it’s horrible, hoping for the best for the fans and club.

@padclark1: Penalising clubs for owners mistakes is rotten. It’s beating a dog when it’s down.

@Rufcjoe87: Modern football is awful. Money has ruined it. This is happening on a weekly basis now. Clubs need to be run properly or kicked out. We’re very lucky #rufc

@NathCcfc: What a season