A growing number of parents and businesses are coming forward claiming to have lost money to former international footballer Natasha Harding, with up to 70 allegations now being made. It is believed that the total figure lost by all parties could be almost £70,000. The former Reading captain, who is one of Wales’ most capped players and now uses her married name of Allen-Wyatt, is accused of taking money for one-to-one coaching with children that she did not deliver. Ms Allen-Wyatt has admitted to canceling “some sessions” due to circumstances beyond her control, and apologized to those affected.
Fresh claims regarding Harding have emerged since the initial allegations, with parents and businesses from south Wales, north Wales, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire coming forward to BBC Wales with their experiences. The additional claims amount to around £27,000 while a parent who created a WhatsApp group for those affected said the total claims were around £40,000. Reports of the claims have been made to a number of police forces in Wales and England, some of which have been passed on to Action Fraud, the organization that coordinates fraud complaints.
Andy Hughes, a voluntary coach for Northop Hall Girls’ under-12s and under-13s in Flintshire, claims that many members of his team paid for one-to-one coaching with Harding costing £280 per player. However, only two blocks of coaching sessions were delivered, with subsequent sessions canceled or postponed after Harding cited suffering from two family bereavements. No further sessions were arranged, and no refunds have been given.
Despite claims of players and parents alike, Harding’s former club Manchester City is being urged to cut its ties with her as a pundit and commentator. Harding herself has not yet commented on the latest claims
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