Bennett gives exclusive emergency press conference
The 'Dragon Slayers' assistant boss gives an emergency press conference to deny reports the club is falling apart amid rumours of bribery and new, foreign investment.
PO: Joss Bennett is giving this press conference to talk about the recent rumours surrounding the club, including suggestions of bribery, and new owners. The club would like to take this moment to release an official statement denying such rumours, which Joss will now read out.
Bennett: Hi everyone, i would like to start by politely requesting that you do not ask any more questions today about further rumours that i do not cover. The rumours i will discuss are the only ones that we are currently aware of, and we will not answer questions regarding this after the following statement:
St. George FC would like to first of all deny reports emerging from the media that our chairman, Lord Triesman is set to step down from his position and look to sell the club. We would also like to confirm that we have not received any offers for the club, least of all from foreign investors as has been suggested...David is committed to the club, and provides the necessary funds which keeps the club going, something he is, and always has been happy to do. Regarding the chairman's absence, the club has agreed to respect his privacy, and will simply say that personal problems have kept him away from St. George's Park, and that we do not know when he will be back. Thankyou, we will now answer any other questions
Paul Hayward, The Guardian: Away from the controversy, the Guardian understands that Trevor Brooking has made a new signing, suggested to be Richard Bean of Wigan...
Bennett: That's right, Richard has actually gone on loan to Macclesfield where he will gain valuable first team experience, after which he will come back and is expected to train with the first team. He is a very exciting young player, similar in many ways to Tom Cleverley and is a superb prospect for the future. £2.4 million will be paid out to Wigan in compensation.
Martin Samuel, Chief Sports Journalist, The Times: Joss, your team has done brilliantly to reach the knockout stage of the Europa League, whilst still very much competing for the Championship, how are the players coping with the pressure? And how do you feel they will do this season, considering the vast amount of games they are going to play in the remainder of the season, depending on how far you get in Europe?
Bennett: Well, i think these last couple of months have been very tough, we've played some of our games in hand, and that meant that matches were coming thick and fast, and the players had to train very hard, without a lot of time. It is difficult because they are young [All players are, under squad regulations, under the age of 23] and so it is difficult to play that much, and not lose fitness. They have done very well though, both in Europe and domestically, i am very impressed.
Duncan White, The Telegraph Finally, what do you have to say about these rumours, and in particular reports that you and Trevor are set to pack your bags and move to another club, amid bribery reports?
Bennett: I've already said i don't want to talk about this. However, i will confirm that i am committed to the club, and deny reports that we were tempted by a move to Manchester City, these reports are over a year old, and seem to have just been recircled. There is no truth in this.