Whitley denies Portsmouth deal
(Guardian)
5/16/2006
While the media in Manchester has been constantly trying to get hold of the UK-based players like Dennis Lawrence, Carlos Edwards and Yorke, T&T-based midfielder Aurtis Whitley was reported in the “News of the World” on Sunday to be heading to English Premiership club Portsmouth, who narrowly escaped relegation at the end of the season.
This was all news to Whitley though, as he confirmed that neither he, nor his agent, Ricky Hill ,had received any offer from the club at which he spent a few weeks on trial earlier this year.
This was news to me. As far as I am concerned, I remain a Jabloteh player and my agent has had no word from Portsmouth about me making a move there” said Whitley, who had a two -week trial stint with the club during the Christman break.
Reflecting on the recent 1-1 draw with Peru and his first days on the Europe-leg of T&T’s build up to Germany, the rock solid Whitley added:
“I think the run against Peru came at the right time and the coach knows what he has planned for us to get ready for the first three games at the World Cup. I am up for whatever position he wants to use me in and time will tell where I really play when the real action starts.
“I have had a taste of what the training is like up here with the weather, but obviously it’s a bit different with the national team and under the coach we have. We are getting ready for a World Cup, so I don’t expect anything to be a walk through.
“At the same time I am enjoying it, so I don’t think you can expect me to complain,” Whitley added, after he and a few of the players enjoyed a round of table-tennis in the hall just outside their rooms.
Whitley said he is concentrating on representing T&T at the World Cup, and that all offers will be dealt with after the finals.
