Hull City Ladies to kick off under new management

Hull City Ladies will start the season under new management following a scandal involving its former co-owner.

Daniel Johnson, who was also a director, was accused of misusing £250,000 of club funds and making sexualised remarks to players.

MP Emma Hardy announced changes would be made to women's football nationally, as well as to Hull City Ladies, after a meeting with the Women's Football Taskforce.

Hardy said: "Because of the bravery of the Hull City [Ladies] players putting forward their stories, this has gone to government and they're looking to change the rules around the governance of the league."

According to Hardy, the Football Association (FA) provided an overview of the situation at Hull City Ladies and committed to a review of Women's National League governance.

The review includes the introduction of owners' and directors' tests, which Hardy described as similar to the Fit and Proper Person Test Framework used in professional football.

"What this means is that people who put themselves forward to be managers of a club will undergo various checks to make sure they're the right kind of people to be running these clubs," Hardy said.

"We want the right kind of people to be involved in managing the club, people we can trust to behave in the way that they should behave and that's the focus of it.

"Having these rules for the entirety of women's football is important for everyone."

Hardy said details of what will be checked will be determined when the Women's Football Taskforce meet in Parliament.

Hull City Ladies have a new management committee and a general manager has also been appointed. The Tigresses will also be relocating from their previous home ground at Easy Buy Stadium in Barton-upon-Humber to North Ferriby FC's ground, which is closer to Hull.

It comes after multiple sources told the BBC that former co-owner Mr Johnson used the company bank account to pay for holidays, shopping and gambling.

Sources claimed he "stole" £3,000 from a foundation set up in memory of former goalkeeper Donna Nickolay.

Humberside Police confirmed it received a report on 9 April and its economic crime unit was investigating reports of "suspected financial fraud".

Eighteen former and current players, sponsors and coaches also submitted statements to the FA about Mr Johnson's conduct.

The FA previously said it was "working with the club" regarding the player allegations. The BBC has approached them for a comment.

Mr Johnson has also been approached for a comment.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.