Jermaine Pennant criticises Glenn Tamplin following the former Premier League player’s spell at Billericay Town as details are revealed.
The 38 year old signed for the then Isthmian League side Billericay Town back in July 2017, signing a two-year deal with the club spending £30,000 a week – in an offer he couldn’t refuse.
However Pennant’s stay at the Essex based club lasted yet four months before he then left the club after a fall out with Tamplin. Speaking on the I Had Trials Once podcast Pennant mentioned that “the owner (Glenn Tamplin) was a bit crazy” and in the player’s opinion, Tamplin “bit off more than he could chew” at Ricay.
Credit: Essex Live
Despite Pennant being paid “League One level wages”, he had issues with the controversial owner and the way that the club was being run.
Jermaine Pennant said that he “just had to get out of there” and left the club on “very good terms” according to Glenn Tamplin, however it would seem that wasn’t actually the case, with nothing but criticism fired from the ex-top flight footballer on his time at the non league side.
During his time at Billericay, Tamplin stated that he had invested £2 million into the club for improvements and a new pitch. The stadium was gradually upgraded and Tamplin promised to take the club to the EFL. Speaking on the I Had Trials Once podcast, Jermaine Pennant said when Glenn Tamplin left the club that “he got a couple of his mates to go on pitch with a Range Rover and tear up the pitch”.
In November 2019, a few months after Tamplin left, the pitch was ruined and a game had to be postponed. Was this caused by Pennant’s mates?
Tamplin then went on to own Isthmian League North Division side Romford, purchasing the club in November 2019 and immediately making himself manager after sacking the current one, and signed 15 players all in the same day.
Pennant was less than complimentary in regards to Tamplin’s football management skills, comparing it to something “better suited to Football Manager“.
Doing my speech for my kings of the jungle. My Lions done BTFC proud today 🦁🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/gc6bBc116s
— Glenn Tamplin (@glenntamplin) August 8, 2017
Tamplin revealed on social media, after leaving Billericay, that the main reason was due criticism on social media regarding his son Archie Tamplin, who had been playing for Billericay.
He said: “After long and lengthy discussions with close friends and family, I have decided now is the time for me to step aside from my role as both Owner and Director of Billericay Town FC.
“From day one it was always my ambition to improve the infrastructure and community aspect of the club and with very strong investment of my own personal money I feel I leave the club in a good position to move forward and continue to build on the foundations I have laid and add further advancement under a new ownership.
“It hasn’t been an easy decision and not one I have taken lightly but i need to listen to advice from people close to me and now is the appropriate time to move away.
“Everyone will have their own favourite memories and I have several, from the visit of Soccer AM and Sky Sports, to working with some great people from the professional game and mainly seeing my eldest son make his debut for Billericay, this i will cherish forever.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players that have played for me, the coaching staff that have worked alongside me and all the staff that have stayed loyal to me through all the good and bad times, You have all made my time at the club even more special and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have without your hard work.’’
“From everyone at the club we would like to wish Glenn and his family all the best for the future and thank them for laying the groundwork to put Billericay Town FC back on the map, without this we wouldn’t be where we are now, and we also get to keep the fantastic memories of a whirlwind few years.
“The current position the club are in with the league status and the facilities would never have been possible without their contribution.
“For that we can’t thank you all enough.”
In the last few weeks, Glenn Tamplin has quit Romford, leaving the eighth-tier club and and his £10m Essex mansion behind to move abroad, just 16 months on from buying the club.
He predicted that the club would be playing in League Two in 5 years time, though seasons being cancelled twice has prevented that.
He also thought he’d get his previous club Billericay in the Football League, but failed to get out the National League South.
STATEMENT:
When Glenn Tamplin became involved in Romford FC in December 2019, no one could have predicted the events that were to unfold across the world.
This has affected everyone, families, businesses and the wider football community. After several conversations we have had with Glenn we have decided to go our separate ways. Glenn is now working and living abroad, and cannot devote the time required to push the club forward in the manner he wanted to.
We have parted as friends and wished each other well in what comes next. The club is grateful for Glenn’s involvement at a time when the clubs survival was in question. We are pleased to also announce that the management team of Derek Duncan and Christos Mead, have agreed to stay with the club. – STATEMENT ENDS
Romford ended the Isthmian League North Division null and void 2019/20 season second from bottom, taking 24 points from 25 games.
They then finished 10th after eight games played, picking up 9 points and were 7 points behind their league leaders.
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