Monday 13 May 2019 10:09 am | Updated: Wednesday 05 June 2019 8:57 am

Embattled Goals Soccer Centres loses second CEO in two years

Five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres has confirmed that chief executive Andy Anson is stepping down after just a year in the job.

Anson will take the role of chief executive at the British Olympic Association (BOA), where he has been a board member since 2011, the company said today in a statement.

The chief executive will stay at Goals Soccer Centres for six months to help the company resolve its accounting and VAT issues.

In March Goals suspended trading in its shares following a “substantial misdeclaration of VAT” totalling approximately £12m.

The company – which counts Sports Direct as its biggest shareholder – said “historical accounting errors” meant it could not be clear on its exact financial position, and so took its shares off London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim).

Michael Bolingbroke, chairman of Goals, today said: “Whilst Andy's decision is disappointing, particularly at this challenging time for the Company, the Board respects Andy's decision to take a role that is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.”

He added: “We are very grateful for all that he has done for Goals and are pleased that he will continue to fully support the company to secure the best outcome in the discussions with our auditors and HMRC.”

In his new role, Anson will replace former BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney, who stepped down in February to join the Rugby Football Union.

Goals, which has about 50 sites in the UK and the US, will now be searching for a new chief executive following its second change of leadership in less than two years.