A HALESOWEN-based football club may be awarded a ‘penalty’ against them whether or not they win a legal case involving a former stewardess.

The warning was given at Birmingham Employment Tribunal as Julie Isham made a legal claim against Bartley Green FC for unfair dismissal.

Mrs Isham had been a stewardess at the club in Illey Lane, for eight years but complained she was unfairly dismissed following a dispute over changes in her contract.

The club opposed the unfair dismissal claim after Martin Thomas, representing Mrs Isham, accused the club of previously failing to adequately respond to the legal process.

Tribunal judge Helen Harding adjourned the case to a later date so that witnesses could give evidence.

But Mr Thomas warned that he might be seeking penalty costs against the club, whether or not the respondents won or lost the case at the next hearing.

He said the club’s attitude over its alleged response had caused inconvenience and extra legal costs which he was considering reclaiming.

Miss Harding said the claimant was legally entitled to make a costs claim even though she had had yet to make a decision over whether Mrs Isham had been unfairly dismissed.

She said she would also have to make a decision over whether the costs should be awarded.