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April 16, 2003
(Wednesday) from News of the World
Woodgate denies
pub clash
Soccer star Jonathan
Woodgate today strongly denied an allegation
that he was involved in a violent clash in the toilets of a popular
Middlesbrough pub.
Police are investigating a claim that the Middlesbrough-born
international defender struck out at a teenage Boro fan who
allegedly "wound him up".
But the Newcastle United and England player today insisted he had
nothing to hide and a spokesman for his agents said he was being "set
up".
Anthony Strange, 18, of Wellington Street, Middlesbrough, has told
police he was left with a cheekbone injury after an incident on
Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Strange told officers he was with a friend at the Dickens Inn, on
Southfield Road, at about 4pm when he spoke to Jonathan Woodgate in
the toilets.
He claims he then made a few "daft" comments about the player's move
to Newcastle United and that he was hit on the right side of the head
as he left the toilets.
Today, Jonathan Woodgate said: "I'm perfectly happy to cooperate with
the police in any way they wish.
"I've nothing to hide. I've done nothing wrong."
A spokesman for his management company added: "The story has no
foundation whatsoever.
"There are people who continue to make mischief for Jonathan but all
he is concerned about is making a substantial contribution to the
success of his career at Newcastle United."
Mr Strange said: "I just said, 'You should have signed for the Boro,
they're a better team'. I was just winding him up, it went on for
about ten seconds. It was just a laugh, just a daft joke."
The teenager, who had been at the pub since 12.30pm, confirmed he
continued drinking until the end of the evening when, he said, he
became more alarmed about his injury and went for treatment at
Middlesbrough General Hospital. He then reported the incident to
Cleveland Police.
A police spokeswoman confirmed: "We are investigating allegations of
an assault that allegedly took place at the Dickens Inn."
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