Goulding and Mitchell Declared Bankrupt: The Implications for Southport FC

Colette Goulding and Peter Mitchell, the two central figures in the former ownership structure at Southport Football Club, were both declared bankrupt on 13 May 2025 by Liverpool County Court. As a result, both individuals are now legally classed as undischarged bankrupts and are disqualified from serving as company directors without permission from the court.

At one time, the pair each held a 50% stake in Big Help Green Ltd, which in turn owned a 50% stake in the Big Help Group – the company that acquired approximately 79% of Southport Football Club Ltd in October 2023.

In May 2025, the Big Help Group announced it had withdrawn from involvement with the club. An initial statement from Peter Mitchell referred to a period of exclusivity with prospective new owners David Cunningham and Kieran Malone. Cunningham later confirmed that the Big Help Group and all individuals associated with it had fully exited Southport FC*.

As undischarged bankrupts, both Goulding and Mitchell are now legally disqualified from serving as company directors or from taking part in the management of a company without permission from the court, under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. Under the Local Government Act 1972, individuals are disqualified from holding elected public office if they are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order. Being made bankrupt alone does not result in automatic disqualification. At the time the bankruptcy order was made, Colette Goulding was serving as a Labour councillor for West Derby Muirhead in Liverpool. There is no public record indicating that a bankruptcy restrictions order has been made in her case. They are further restricted from acting as charity trustees.

Their bankruptcy estates are now under the control of the Official Receiver, who is responsible for identifying and realising any personal assets to repay creditors. This includes any remaining shares, financial interests, or entitlements in companies such as Big Help Green Ltd. The Receiver may investigate asset disposals made prior to the bankruptcy and may seek to recover the value of any transactions found to have been made at undervalue.

However, this authority applies strictly to the individuals’ personal assets. The Official Receiver has no power to intervene in or reverse corporate decisions made by Big Help Green Ltd or the Big Help Group unless there is evidence that such actions were taken specifically to reduce the value of Goulding or Mitchell’s estates. Company-level decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the companies themselves and their respective creditors.

Goulding and Mitchell’s bankruptcies therefore do not carry the same implications for the Southport FC takeover as would a corporate insolvency affecting Big Help Green or the Big Help Group. There is no indication at this time that their personal bankruptcy status will prevent the proposed change in ownership of the club.

The situation may, however, continue to form part of the broader administrative landscape as the club moves through its ownership transition. The existence of ongoing asset reviews by the Official Receiver could introduce a degree of complexity, but only insofar as they relate to personal interests formerly held by the individuals concerned.

*At the time of writing, two individuals associated with the Big Help Group – Lydia Elizabeth Davies and Stephen Boulger – are listed as trustees of the Southport FC Community Foundation, according to the Charity Commission’s official register.

Editor’s Note:
This article is based on publicly available records, including the Individual Insolvency Register, Companies House filings, and previous public statements. It is intended to inform the public on matters of legitimate interest relating to the administration and ownership of Southport Football Club. All information was accurate at the time of publication. The article does not allege wrongdoing unless confirmed through legal process and makes no assumptions beyond verifiable facts. Any party named is invited to provide comment or clarification.

Editor’s note (added 24th May):
An earlier version of this article may have implied that Colette Goulding was disqualified from holding public office solely by virtue of being declared bankrupt. To clarify: disqualification under the Local Government Act 1972 applies only where a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order is in place. There is no public record confirming that such an order has been issued in this case. The article has been updated to reflect this.

Sources:
– Individual Insolvency Register – entries for Colette Maria Goulding and Peter Mitchell

– Companies House – filings for Big Help Green Ltd and Big Help Group CIC

– Previous article: Rule 2.13 – Significant Interest – Southport Central

– “A Message from Peter Mitchell” – Southport FC, 1 May 2025

– “New Ownership Update” – Southport FC, 14 May 2025

– Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (via legislation.gov.uk)

– Local Government Act 1972 (via legislation.gov.uk)

– Liverpool Post investigation: “The Mystery £5m Loans” (2024) (livpost.co.uk)

– Charity Commission Register of Charities – Southport FC Community Foundation (1189085)

Featured Image: Peter Mitchell and Colette Goulding pictured together at a Southport FC community event (as shown in an official club tweet dated 1 August 2023).