Five men plead not guilty to fraud relating to £10 million loan to Northampton Town Football Club

David Cardoza, who is the former chairman of the club, his dad and former club director, Anthony Cardoza, property director, Howard Grossman, his son Marcus Grossman, and Simon Patnick appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday December 12.

All five men are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation between September 2013 and April 2015. The charges relate to a loan of £10.75 million loan from the now defunct Northampton Borough Council, intended for the redevelopment of Sixfields stadium and an adjoining hotel.

David Cardoza, aged 55, of Eastbourne, and Anthony Cardoza, aged 81, of Wisbech, also pleaded not guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

Howard Grossman, aged 64, of Bushey, also pleaded not guilty to eight counts of furnishing a false document.

Marcus Grossman, aged 38, of Barnet, and Simon Patnick, aged 55, of Harrow, had no further charges to face.

All five are next due to appear in Southwark Crown Court on December 11, 2026, for a pre-trial review hearing.

The trial has been scheduled to start in August 2028 and is due to last 20 weeks, or five months.