Hallam issues strong denial

[Bridge Inn FC Press Office]

Bridge Inn left back, Matt Hallam, today issued a statement angrily denying that he is seeking a switch away from Fortress Weirfields to Division 2 high fliers, FC Samba.

Issue through his agent, the statement insisted that Hallam was, ‘Happy at Bridge Inn and, despite the teams poor season, was not looking to engineer a move to FC Samba or any other club’.

The statement continued, ‘Having only signed a new contract at the beginning of the season this should have ended any speculation over my commitment to the club and my future. Unfortunately it does not appear that it has’.

Questions about Hallam’s availability had been asked after allegations of a ‘tapping up’ incident were recently raised. This followed a number of posts being left on the FC Samba website supposedly from representatives of the Bridge Inn veteran. However, in his statement, Hallam dismissed these as ‘Just friendly banter’.

However, Hallam refused to confirm or deny that he would remain a Bridge Inn player for the remainder of his career, simply stating that, ‘If the club felt that it would be in their best interests to accept an offer from another team I would have to reassess my options’.

[Bridge Inn Supporters]

Tonight Matthew Hallam's esteemed career at Bridge Inn football club hangs in the balance as the Bridge Inn supporters vote on whether to demonstrate before their next game at home to AFC Bridgeford. Recent rumours linking Hallam with a move away from the club to Brazilian wannabes FC Samba has angered fans who see Hallam's unwillingness to update the Bridge Inn website on a regular basis as evidence of his lack of dedication to the club as a whole.

One outspoken fan lambasted Hallam's recent behaviour saying how the website had "got a bit crap" and was "reflective of his playing performances across the season." Another fan, Stavros, who is editor of the Bridge Inn Fanzine Bridge Over Troubled Water commented on the rumours linking the left back with FC Samba, "It's utterly ridiculous! Why would Samba be interested in an ageing has bin who struggles to keep his place in the first team down at Fortress Weirfields?" The infamous Dave from Samba simply said, "No way... but nice website."

So where does this leave Matthew Hallam? Well, with his Bridge Inn FC career seemingly in tatters surely the only option left open to him is to gracefully leave the club and pursue his ailing career somewhere else. Where that may be is anyones guess but it can said, with some certainty, that it wont be FC Samba.

[Bridge Inn FC Press Office]

The war of words between Bridge Inn FC stalwart, Matt Hallam, and club supporters continued unabated today as the Bridge Inn left back delivered a stinging rebuke over claims that both his levels of performance and commitment were not high enough.

Speaking after training, Hallam insisted that he was committed to Bridge Inn FC more now than ever before. “No-one has done more to ensure that this Club remains in existence. During the past season I have fulfilled roles such as coach, club secretary, caretaker manager, website developer and kit washer as well as playing in virtually every match”.

Hallam, who has more career appearances than any other player in the Clubs history, then took an amazing sideswipe at players who he doesn’t think are pulling their weight.

“Perhaps those people questioning my commitment should look at who isn’t available for selection for our next match against AFC Bridgford. Some players seem to prefer having a cosy Sunday morning at the in-laws instead of helping to turn our season around”.

He concluded that he would not be driven out of the Club he loves by a ‘faceless minority’ and intended remaining a Bridge Inn player for the foreseeable future.

[Bridge Inn Fanzine]

After his photoshoot for the front cover of the Bridge Inn Fanzine Bridge Over Troubled Water fans favourite Ian Addison-Smith stated how ecstatic he was at having the chance to represent his country over the Easter period.

"Obviously, I'm as shocked as everyone else but an opportunity like this only comes around once in a lifetime." Admist allegations that his international call up is a farce and nothing more than a poor excuse fabrigated by his agent in order to allow him to visit his family Addison Smith said, "I don't know where people have got that from. It's utterly ridiculous. I think certain individuals at the club have started those rumours in the media to detract attention away from their own recent footballing shenanigans."

It would seem then that all is not well down at the Weirside. Diplomatic Addison-Smith (5 goals, 6 assists and 4 M.O.M) is obviously having an inadvertant swipe at Bridge Inn left back Matthew Hallam (0 goals, 0 assists, 0 M.O.M) who has come under close scrutiny from all sides of the media following the famous 'touching up' sorry 'tapping up' rumours linking him with FC Samba. Although Addison-Smith assures the Bridge Inn fans that he maintains a strong professional relationship with the transfer listed left back he would not comment on the midweek training ground bust up that allegedly occured between the two.

So whilst the star winger prefers to keep his cards close to his chest there is certainly no doubting that the Bridge Inn media machine is working at full capacity. Whether it be international call up, tapping up or punch up we can only expect more sensational reports from the colourful personalities at the bottom of Division two.

[Bridge Inn Top Scorer]

It appears the pressure is getting to Matt, he managed to add to this seasons tally of goals with a classy finish from a yard on sunday. Unfortunatly, like most of Matt's goals of the last few seasons, the goal was in the wrong end - yet another own goal to add to his club record!!

Following on from this was a remarkable assist for AFC Bridgeford's 2nd goal, the skill to knock the ball into the oppeonents path, when it seemed easier to clear it was simply outstanding. Perhaps it should be Matt getting the international call up. he could then share his woes with those of fellow left back, Ashley 'Secret Meeting' Cole.

Many of the team are looking forward to the return of Addison Smith from his mid-season break. However, only international he was involved in was the international midgets convention.

[Stavros]

March 7th may go down in history, as it's the last time Hallam managed to produce a match report. It appears that Hallam is believing his own hype. He talks a good game, but in recent weeks his website performances and match performances have left a lot to be desired.

More and more fans and players are waiting on the launch of the fanzines website - abridgeovertroubledwater.co.uk
to be able to keep upto date with what is happening at the club.

It has been rumured that Hallam is spending all his time working out a full proof plan to ensure he wins the player of the year award, preventing his more worthy team mates from becoming deserved winners.

Shame on you Mathew.