Former SFC board member Phil Hodgkinson’s PURE group collapses

9 companies headed up by former Southport FC board member Phil Hodgkinson have been placed into administration.

A statement on the PURE Business Group website confirms that Pure Business Group Limited, Pure Legal Limited, Pure Claims Support Services Limited, Pure Technology Systems Limited, Pure Reporting Services Limited, Pure Claims Limited, Pure Costs Budget Limited, Connect Costs Limited and Astute Business Management Consultants Limited have all collapsed.

It remains unclear how the group’s collapse will affect Southport FC, whose Haig Avenue ground is currently named ‘The PURE Stadium’ as part of a sponsorship agreement.

News of the financial difficulties first broke with staff members posting to social media that they would be leaving their roles.

Accounts for flagship company Pure Legal Limited show it had outstanding loans and overdrafts valued at £21m.

Hodgkinson spent a little under two years in the boardroom at Haig Avenue, having promised ‘the most exciting period in the club’s history’ with his ‘Back The Bid’ campaign, before leaving Southport to take over Huddersfield Town.

A spokesperson for Huddersfield Town said: “The PURE Group, former shirt sponsor PURE Legal Limited and the other listed companies are led by Huddersfield Town Chairman Phil Hodgkinson. It was announced that yesterday (Tuesday 2 November 2021) these nine companies have been placed into Administration.

“Mr. Hodgkinson holds 75% of the Club’s shares through PURE Sports Consultancy. This company is not part of this action and, as such, is legally unaffected.

“Our Board of Directors would like to assure Town fans that the Club remains able to meet its financial commitments over the short, medium, and long term.”