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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think this?

24 replies

nutterbutsquash · 21/01/2012 23:26

I play for a local sports team for which we pay subs, collected each week after the match. One of the players was collecting the subs for a few weeks but rather than banking it spent the money. The captain has repeatedly asked for it back and she has made promises to return it but has not. She has also not paid subs so the figure owed is adding up. The amount owed is now nearly £400 which is a pretty big dent in a tiny clubs finances, especially one that is already struggling to make ends meet.

AIBU to think we should provide an ultimatum and then threaten to get the police involved? At a loss as to what else to do. The player does other stuff for the club and is nice, would prefer to say give it back or you can't play any more as she is obviously having some financial issues, but the reality is if she did a runner then the club will probably fold without the balance repaid.

The money has been owed for over 6 months.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 21/01/2012 23:28

6 months?

Sorry but it's theft pure and simple

I would have given her a week or two and then called the Police

No matter how hard up she is, she has no right to steal that money.

AgentZigzag · 21/01/2012 23:33

Her having financial issues isn't any reason to steal money from a small sports team.

I can't believe it's gone on for six months, or someone notice after £200 wasn't there.

JustMeAndMyBaby · 21/01/2012 23:34

Do you know where she lives? If so recorded delivery letter setting deadline. If not just call police with no warning.

WorraLiberty · 21/01/2012 23:34

It's £400 Ziggers

You've just stolen £200 off the thread

squeakytoy · 21/01/2012 23:35

I would give her till the end of the month to come up with the money or at least half of it, or you go to the police.

faeriefruitcake · 21/01/2012 23:37

Our rugby captain got thrown out and charged by the polics for doing something very similar with the subs.

She was given every chance to return the money. As for being hard up, aren't we all but don't steal from our team. Either work out a payment plan to get the money back/ write the debt off or call the police

BandOMothers · 21/01/2012 23:38

I think the chair or whoever has the most clout needs to have an official meeting with her....with two others present...whoever takes minutes should write it all down.

She needs to pay t back immediately or leave and pay by installment for which you will visit the small claims courts.

duckdodgers · 21/01/2012 23:38

At what point in the last 6 months did someone discover the money wasnt getting banked? Something should have been done about it before. I would just phone the Police now to be honest - she shouldn't be doing this anyway in the first place!

And I hate to look on the down side, with you saying the club would fold without the money but I would be very surprised if she is in a position to pay it back. Its theft pure and simple.

AgentZigzag · 21/01/2012 23:39

hehe worra, I meant why didn't they think after 200 'WTF's going on here then?' but instead just left it to get to 400 before doing something about it.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 21/01/2012 23:41

I'd warn her that if it wasn't repaid by the next meeting you would be calling the police. And sticking to it.

HoneyNutBoobs · 21/01/2012 23:41

Definitely get the Police involved. She had no right to spend money that was not hers. Six months is a long time (I wouldn't have given her that long to be honest).

I doubt she is going to be able to get her hands on that amount of money quickly ie within the next few days and so I wouldn't even bother giving her more time. It simply sounds as if she'll just make more excuses.

She should have paid it back after she was asked the first time or at least made some effort to pay back part of it immediately and then beg for a couple of weeks to settle the balance.

WorraLiberty · 21/01/2012 23:54

Hmmmm ok ZigZag

Original poster

nutterbutsquash · 21/01/2012 23:56

Thanks all. Missing money was noticed immediately, and she has been promising to return it since then.

OP posts:

duckdodgers · 22/01/2012 00:01

Didnt someone at some point in the past 6 months think it would be a good idea if someone else collected the money then?

tallwivglasses · 22/01/2012 00:06

There should be a local organisation that helps voluntary groups and clubs like yours. Tell them about it. I can't believe she's still brazing it out tbh.
Very cheeky.

Original poster

nutterbutsquash · 22/01/2012 00:08

She only collected subs for a few weeks over the summer.

OP posts:

duckdodgers · 22/01/2012 00:12

Ah so the £400 is just a few weeks money then.

Original poster

nutterbutsquash · 22/01/2012 00:14

Yes, a few weeks fees from everyone plus her own unpaid subs.

OP posts:

GiserableMitt · 22/01/2012 08:11

Can you prove that the missing money has been taken by her before you get the police involved?

TroublesomeEx · 22/01/2012 08:18

Isn't that embezzlement?

Her not having paid her subs isn't, but her keeping and spending other people's money that has been entrusted to her is.

CuntWorm · 22/01/2012 08:34

6 months? Why hasn't someone called the police by now?

redexpat · 22/01/2012 11:06

Threated with small claims court - that's quite effective. Folkgirl has a good point re: embezzlement.

redexpat · 22/01/2012 11:06

*Threaten

rhondajean · 22/01/2012 11:32

Part of my work is supporting small groups like yours and I would be firmly advising they involve the police by now. She has had ample time to return the money.

Not doing so could leave you with awkward questions about how your committee handle their money and how good your governance is should you decide to apply for a grant in the future for example. I think it's now beyond a point where you try to help her by giving her A chance to rectify it.

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