Premier League legend Gary McAllister, 61, hit with bankruptcy petition by HMRC

GARY MCALLISTER has received a bankruptcy petition from HM Revenue and Customs. The retired midfielder starred in the Premier League for Leeds, Coventry and Liverpool during his playing days. Gary McAllister has been hit with a bankruptcy petition Credit: Alamy McAllister, 61, played between 1981 and his retirement in 2004 at the Sky Blues. He played 325 times in the Prem and scored 49 goals and assisted 47 more. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The Scotsman is now facing financial ruin after being taken to court by HMRC for an unpaid tax bill. The reasons behind McAllister’s financial position are yet to be revealed. The Telegraph have reported that he was one of a number of footballers who had invested in film partnerships. These were later ruled to be tax-avoidance schemes by HMRC. The type of scheme was said to inflate the amount of relief a person could receive. This would be done by using huge loans to boost small investments. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS He retired at Coventry in 2004 Credit: Getty HMRC have spent considerable effort to pursue former footballers and celebrities for unpaid tax. It has not been suggested that McAllister has deliberately tried to dodge his tax obligations. A spokesperson for McAllister said: “Gary McAllister was under the impression his tax advisor was in contact with HMRC regarding this. “Gary is now looking to resolve the issue imminently.” HMRC added: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans. We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort.” McAllister was a part of the Leeds team that won the Division One title in 1992 – the year before the formation of the Premier League. He then featured in Liverpool’s treble-winning campaign in 2001 in which they claimed the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup. Comment now