This from TBN Sport (who admit they are a football and sports satire news website)
There was anger and outrage at the Edgar Street this morning after kit manufacturer Sondico prematurely announced the transfer of Hereford United centre-back Jack Deaman to Telford, seemingly before any deal had been made.
The nation’s back pages have for weeks been awash with rumours regarding the former Birmingham defender’s future, with many journalists believing it to be only a matter of time before he swapped Herefordshire for the glitz and glamour of Shropshire.
Despite this expectation, fury was widespread among Bulls staff and supporters today when Sondico’s website posted a link to a personalised Jack Deaman page on its online shop.
The update was quickly deleted, but eagle-eyed internet users were quick to screenshot evidence of the page and share it across all platforms of social media, at which point it was picked up by Hereford officials and supporters.
“This is an absolute disgrace and everyone here at the club is furious. We were of course aware of the Bucks interest in Jack – almost every team is interested – but for this to happen is an absolute disgrace,” said club official Grant Lackam today, adding that the saga is simply illustrative of the pervasive and dangerous influence exhorted upon the sport by sportswear brands.
“We’ve seen it growing for years and now it seems unstoppable. Global brands like Sondico and Carbrini are becoming bigger than the teams these days and they seem to think they can do whatever they want. Their influence has to be curbed so this doesn’t happen again.”
At press time, Hereford were reportedly considering taking legal action against Sondico due to damage caused by the announcement.