Stockport County administrators defend fees

The joint administrators of Stockport County Football Club have defended themselves over fans' anger at the levels of fees they have charged.

Administrators in charge of the club said their fees were in line with the normal rates and requirements of their regulatory body, and a "significant amount of time" had been spent on operational matters to try and effect a sale of the ailing club.

The defence by Leonard Curtis directors John Titley and Paul Reeves was in response to a planned protest march on 23 December by the club's fans, which will pass the firm's office in Deansgate, Manchester.

The protest covers a number of aspects relating to their unhappiness at the running of the club, and includes discontent at the firm's reported fee rate of £300 per hour – which could amount to a £300,000 bill, Accountancy Age understands.

"…Outrageous, and COULD be the final nail in our coffin," according to one Stockport County website in relation to the fees.

Titley and Reeves have issued a strong defence of their efforts for the club.

A sale of the club remains their prime objective, and anticipated being unable to fully recoup their own fees related to the job.

"As previously stated, despite incurring these substantial time costs to keep the club operating and to secure a purchaser we have not received a fee to date because any such fee depends on the outcome of the sale process. We have not used available funds to cover our fees so that essential trading costs – mainly salaries – can continue to be paid," they said in a statement.

They also called upon the reported organisers of the march to contact them to discuss their concerns.

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