The dancers’ leader Bekka Batchelor expressed her sadness at Tamplin’s decision
A MILLIONAIRE football boss sacked his club’s cheerleaders because some tried to pull the players.
Semi-pro Billericay Town — part-owned by Towie star Mark Wright — had signed up the girls, known as “The Ricays”, only last month. Last night the leader of the sexy dancers, Bekka Batchelor, said of their red card: “It’s just a shame.
But the Essex club’s owner Glenn Tamplin, 45, said: “The lads were becoming unfocused.”
The football tycoon announced on Twitter that he had sacked the cheerleaders — suggesting they were too sexy for his players.
Billericay boss announced the ‘Ricays’ were fired by tweet
The millionaire tweeted: “We have had to let the cheerleaders go as the lads were becoming unfocused and some of the girls (not all) sending their numbers to them.”
And he was worried it could derail his dream of taking semi-pro Essex side Billericay Town into the Football League.
Axed, but cheerleader Jodie is not believed to be one of the girls who texted a player
Auditions for the troupe — named “The Ricays” — were held at West Ham’s training ground on July 17 and 18.
The chosen pom-pom girls were set to put on displays during home matches this season.
But with just a week to kick-off, club owner Glenn, 45 — who is also team manager — has shown them all the red card.
The players first met with the cheerleaders after he took the lads to watch their routines.
But one of the players and girls then got in contact via social media.
A source told The Sun: “We held auditions on the Monday night and then one of the players contacted one of the girls because one of them put the cheerleading outfit on and tweeted about it.
“He contacted her and unfortunately I think she gave her phone number to him and I think the footballer actually went and told Glenn.
“Glenn made it clear there should be no interaction between the cheerleaders and players — even though he brought the squad over to watch them.
“He changed his mind and said there wasn’t going to have them and that’s it.”
Last night the dancers’ leader Bekka Batchelor expressed her sadness at Tamplin’s decision.
She said: “Obviously we’re disappointed the cheerleading isn’t going ahead but we’re still great friends with Billericay Town — there’s no bad feeling at all.
“It’s just a shame because we’ve got a fantastic team already to go, but with no-one to cheer for.”
The cheerleaders included Leah Torrington, Melissa Mcallister, Molly Simmonds and Jodie Hall.
Jodie is not believed to be one of the girls who texted a player.
The girls had previously told of their joy at being chosen.
Leah had tweeted: “Over the moon that I’ve been offered a place on @DollsAgencyUK dance/cheer squad @TheRicays. Cannot wait for training/our first event”.
The players are not believed to have been sanctioned for getting friendly with the girls.
Last night a source close to devout Christian Glenn confirmed that he had caught one of the cheerleaders messaging her number to a player.
The source said: “Glenn had been having second thoughts about the cheerleaders as it didn’t fit with his family club image.
“He was also wary that he runs girls and women’s football teams and wanted to project the right image.
“When he found out about the number exchange he was worried it was the shape of things to come.
“He doesn’t want anything distracting his players — he is so determined to make his dream of promotion come true.” Steel tycoon Tamplin — who is worth an estimated £45million — took over the club last December.
His takeover has seen gates rise from 400 to nearly 2,000.
He has ploughed £2million into it and Towie star and TV presenter Mark Wright owns a 20 per cent stake in the club.
Tamplin has also signed a dozen top non-league players in a bid to win promotion this season.
Billericay Town confirmed its ambition yesterday with the signature of former Liverpool winger Pennant, 34 — who set up a goal in a pre-season friendly for the side last weekend.
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