Braintree Chairman: Harrop’s Spending Habits Posed Administration Risk

Angelo Harrop, who last season led Braintree to victory over Worthing in the National League South promotion final, was dismissed by the club. Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding has stated that the club was compelled to remove manager Angelo Harrop to avoid potential administration. While ‘The Iron’ secured promotion to the National League under Harrop’s leadership last season, their performance this term has been unsatisfactory, placing them 19th in the league standings. However, Harding informed BBC Essex Sport that the club’s board was compelled to act due to Harrop’s failure to adhere to the allocated playing budget. Harding stated: “One of the key responsibilities of any manager is financial management of the resources that are given to him. From day one (this season), we were significantly over budget – I’m not talking £10 or £15 a week, we’re talking about 50% over budget,” He added, “Every month we were reminding him, you’re over the top, you’re spending significantly more than the club can afford. It’s something he was aware of.” Harrop, whose appointment was in May 2022, was tasked with operating within what is considered among the most constrained budgets in English non-league football’s highest division. He provided assurances to the board regarding measures he intended to implement to manage expenditures, but these actions did not meet the board’s expectations. Harding mentioned that the manager had anticipated an FA Cup run would generate funds to alleviate the financial situation; however, the team was eliminated in the first round, losing on penalties to Brackley Town of National League North. Harding further elaborated: “You can’t budget for success in the FA Cup. If it happens, it’s a windfall,” He added, “The situation got to a point that when we had a chat about it at a board meeting, and had the situation continued for any further time, we’d probably have found ourselves in administration in the new year, it was that serious for us. “We were spending significantly more than we could afford, so we had to make a difficult decision. The disappointing thing is that Angelo is a good coach, has achieved much for us and we are grateful for all the success.” He concluded by stating, “But the board’s overriding consideration is to make sure we’re here next year.” Goalkeeper coach Justin Moseley has assumed interim leadership of the team, which is scheduled to compete against West Brom Under-21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday. Concurrently, Harding reported that he is receiving between 15 and 20 phone calls daily, along with numerous emails, concerning the open managerial position. In a statement provided to BBC Essex, Harrop commented: “There needs to be structure at the club. I’ve been pushing that for a long time. Braintree don’t have Under-18s, Under-23s, that’s a big worry for the club.” He continued, “We have to be realistic. Braintree has one of the smallest budgets in the league by a country mile. I tried to move players (out) but they were under contract.” Harrop concluded, “Running the club and the team, it’s a big ask.”