May 31 2008

John Bostock

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has slammed John Bostock's stepfather over the midfielder's move to Tottenham.

Jordan is unhappy Palace season ticket holder Michael Brown insisted Bostock was willing to sign his first pro deal with the Eagles, yet went back on his word and allowed Bostock to agree terms with Spurs.

"His father, for the last six months, has been telling me personally that he wants to sign for Crystal Palace and is a Crystal Palace fan," said Jordan.

"John Bostock's father has told me on three occasions that John will be signing for Palace. Next thing I know he's going to Tottenham.

"We have been told by John Bostock's father that some mythical member of staff at our place has told John that Neil Warnock doesn't want him playing in his team because he doesn't fit our style. That is a complete lie.

"Neil Warnock has a track record of playing 16 and 17-year-old kids. He didn't sign a young Australian international specifically because John Bostock told us he was signing a contract with us.

"We didn't sign a player to put him in front of John Bostock to hamper his development.

"John Bostock would have got in our first team and would have learned his trade in our first team. I'm not so sure he'll get the opportunities at Tottenham in the immediate future that his talent may well need to be nurtured."