Allegations of Financial Misconduct Mount Against Ex-Wales Footballer Natasha Harding

Allegations have now been brought forward by as many as 70 parents and businesses, asserting financial losses attributed to former international footballer Natasha Harding. The cumulative sum reportedly lost is estimated to approach £70,000. Ms. Harding, previously captain of Reading and recognized as one of Wales’ most capped players, now known by her married name Allen-Wyatt, is confronting multiple accusations, among them claims that she accepted payments for individual coaching sessions with children which were subsequently not provided. Ms. Allen-Wyatt stated that she was compelled to cancel “some sessions” due to factors beyond her influence, and she offered an apology to individuals impacted. Following the initial surfacing of these accusations, parents and businesses located in south Wales, north Wales, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire have shared their personal accounts concerning Ms. Allen-Wyatt with BBC Wales, presenting new claims collectively valued at £27,000. Concurrently, a parent who established a WhatsApp group for affected parties indicated that the claims within that group amounted to approximately £40,000. Several police forces across Wales and England have received reports, with some of these forwarded to Action Fraud, the organization responsible for coordinating fraud complaints nationwide. Action Fraud confirmed that a minimum of one report “is currently being assessed” by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. Additionally, former teammates have disclosed to the BBC that certain actions by Ms. Allen-Wyatt “also impacted ourselves, our families and friends”. There have been calls for Ms. Allen-Wyatt’s previous club, Manchester City, to sever its association with her in her capacity as a pundit and commentator. Andy Hughes, who serves as a voluntary coach for Northop Hall Girls’ under-12s and under-13s in Flintshire, recounted that Ms. Allen-Wyatt proposed individual coaching to team members after her appearance as a guest on his podcast, This Girl Can Play, during which she expressed a desire to extend her academy’s reach to north Wales. She then enrolled 12 players for 10 coaching sessions, each priced at £280. However, only two sets of coaching sessions were conducted, with subsequent sessions either cancelled or deferred after Ms. Allen-Wyatt informed Mr. Hughes of two family bereavements. No additional sessions were scheduled, and Mr. Hughes reported that no reimbursements were issued. He expressed his feelings, stating, “I was really, really disappointed. For someone who played the game at that level and who’s an icon to the next generation of women footballers, these sessions were really important. “How do you explain to an 11-year-old girl that their Welsh hero isn’t going to come and coach them after all, and that they’ve let them down?”I’m gutted that someone we put forward as a great opportunity has turned out like this. It’s a shame because the coaching she did deliver was good.” Daniel Rees, proprietor of Cardiff Classic Shirts, consented to sponsor Ms. Allen-Wyatt following her outreach via social media. He provided her with £500, in exchange for a commitment that his company would be promoted on her academy’s training shirts, hoodies, and jackets for a duration of two years. Mr. Rees reported that he has observed no proof of this advertising being carried out and has not received any clarification despite his attempts to reach her. He commented, “I couldn’t find any pictures of shirts that were meant to be printed up, just a mock-up I was sent.” He added, “I never thought the worst, I just thought she was having a run of bad luck and it would come good.” He concluded, “To see now that