SWINDON Town football club has been fined thousands of pounds after it repeatedly failed to comply with its automatic enrolment duties.

Swindon Town Football Company Limited (STFC) received fines from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) worth a total of £22,900 after it failed to put eligible workers into a pension scheme or comply with other workplace pension duties.

Charles Counsell, executive director of automatic enrolment, said: “This case illustrates what can happen when an employer buries their head in the sand and disregards their duties.

“If things aren’t going well, then talk to us; don’t ignore us.

“Failing to comply on time will not save you money. Not only do you risk a fine, you will also have to make back dated contributions.”

STFC was issued with a compliance notice on August 18, 2014 directing it to automatically enrol staff and pay contributions but failed to comply by the deadline of October 17, 2014.

There were several further delays in the employer complying with their duties, and as a result TPR’s intervention escalated from a focus on remedial action to one of enforcement action.

TPR is the regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK. Their statutory objectives are to protect members’ benefits and reduce the risk of calls on the Pension Protection Fund.

The TPR has stressed that employers should not ignore their duties. A spokesman said: “TPR will work with you to help you comply, but we will use our powers where appropriate. Deliberate noncompliance will not be tolerated.

“If you have received a fine, you will still have to pay it even if you then go on to become compliant.”

Swindon Town Football Club said in a statement: "It is unfortunate that the club has been fined by the Pensions Regulator.

"The fine related to the period when the ownership of the club was being contested by the former chairman and is yet another painful example of the severe adverse consequences that the uncertainty and instability caused in regularising the business affairs of the club.

"The club is completely up to date and compliant with its pension obligations and contributions.''