Jewell’s attack on Twitter

PAUL Jewell has hit out at social networking sites, and Twitter in particular, following the Billy Clark saga last week.

Jewell was unhappy that teenage midfielder Clark, on learning that he was to be released by Town, let his feelings known on Twitter.

The Town boss revealed that Clark had made “a schoolboy error,” and also went on to attack the merits of social networking sites.

“Billy (Clark) has gone, I’ve released him, although he is still training with us,” explained Jewell during yesterday’s press conference.

“He made a schoolboy error by going on one of those social network sites, saying that he was glad to get out of here.

“I gave him the opportunity to leave for good on Friday, and he’s still here. He’s taken his comment off (the site) now, and he’s training, and of course we will try and help to get him another club.

“Billy told me that he wouldn’t say anything bad about the club, because he’s been here since he’s been a kid. It came out the wrong way, he said, whatever that meant.

“They are not popular decisions I am making at the moment, but they are honest, professional decisions and if he doesn’t like it I would rather he said so to my face.

“Billy has been a bit silly and a bit immature. He was upset at the time, and I understand that.

“The matter is forgotten now. He’s a decent kid and a decent player who just made a silly mistake,” added Jewell.

Jewell also sounded a stern warning to his players about the pitfalls of Twitter.

“If footballers put things on thinking they are not going to get out, who is being stupid?” asked Jewell.

“I know that people have been fined for going on Twitter. It can be dangerous for players, and they have been caught in the past saying things.

“I just think it’s a lack of intelligence at times when people announce stuff.

“I would consider telling my players just to be careful.

“These sites are fine if you’re contacting friends on the other side of the world, but I think they get mis-used.”