EVESHAM United manager Carl Abbott has “a million per cent” denied “paying players out of his own pocket” emanating from a Twitter storm with ex-Robins boss Matt Clarke.
Ex-Quorn, Hinckley AFC and Wolverhampton Casuals gaffer Abbott said last week that cash from “outside” predecessor Paul Collicutt’s playing budget from the club had created a “gravy train” culture at the Jubilee Stadium.
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That prompted a backlash from former Robins including Nick Stanley, Ashley Williams, Paul Fahy and Matt Sysum.
Wow. Can't believe what I'm reading this is poor form! https://t.co/s2QZmfrs8X
— matty sysum (@sysydicy) June 17, 2019
Yeah very true mate! Fair shout and poor form from the new manager.
— Nick Stanley (@stanley1507) June 17, 2019
Clarke then posted on Twitter: “Just catching up on non-league news this week.
“Wow, a manager moaning that the previous gaffer was paying players out of his own pocket. Seriously? When the whole football world knows that’s what you’ve done at your [past] three clubs."
Just catching up on non league news this week. Wow a manager moaning that the previous gaffer was paying players out of his own pocket. Seriously ? When the whole football world knows that’s what you’ve done at your last 3 clubs. Give your head a wobble and finally win something
— Matt Clarke (@matty263) June 22, 2019
Abbott’s response, which has since been deleted, then formed part of an exchange between the two with Clarke posting screen grabs of replies and past direct messages from Abbott’s account.
Clarke later posted: “Lesson from today folks, do not lie to make yourself look better. I am not a bully but I am honest. The football Twitter world watched as a manager lied, all I did was expose him and he deletes his account. Say no more.”
Lesson from today folks, do not lie to make yourself look better. I am not a bully but I am honest. The football twitter world watched as a manager lied all I did was expose him and he deletes his account say no more. #proofinpudding
— Matt Clarke (@matty263) June 22, 2019
There were replies to that second post from non-league players, including Williams, supporting Clarke’s stance.
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Asked to comment on the furore, Abbott said: “I read them until I had enough of them.
“I am thoroughly enjoying my job at Evesham and am really enthusiastic about it.
“I haven’t got any time for outside speculation based upon very little or no knowledge of the facts and negativity. I removed myself from the situation and will carry on thoroughly enjoying what I am doing.”
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Asked if he refuted Clarke’s claims, Abbott said: “A million per cent. I have never worked with Matt Clarke, he knows nothing about me and things that have gone on at my football clubs.
“My Hinckley chairman is there to be spoken to and people I have worked for before. I think it is irrelevant really.
“I think the (initial) article was put across in a certain way or misconstrued, however people want to say. I never criticised Paul Collicutt, I just explained why I could not retain all of the players.
“I have no time for or interest in it really.”
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