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Brentford Football club’s much anticipated ‘statement’ has now been issued and, for better or for worse, it finally outlines the exact situation at the club following a week of rumour, gossip, anger and confusion.

In short, Mark Warburton and David Weir will take control of first team affairs for the remainder of the 2014/15 Championship season, before leaving for pastures new, whilst Sporting Director Frank McParland has been placed on ‘gardening leave’ with immediate effect. The reasons for these decisions were explained as follows.

Matthew Benham said: “I am a passionate Brentford fan and every decision I take is intended to be in the best long term interests of the Club. “Some of the decisions taken to date have been easy and some, like this one, have been extremely hard.”

Cliff Crown, Chairman of Brentford FC said: “Lots of clubs are criticised for short term thinking – we want to take a long term view and put structures in place that both the Board and the owner believe will be to the benefit of Brentford FC for years to come.”

He continued, “The new structure is unusual in English football, although commonplace in other European countries and in other sports. “We would have loved for Mark to stay, working within the new structure, but he feels that this is not right for him.”

“We understand that completely and had to weigh up the benefits of the new structure against losing a fantastically successful manager before taking this decision. “Recent press articles made it impossible to continue orderly discussions in private about the next steps for the Club.  “We regret this happening and fully appreciate that the uncertainty and often inaccurate speculation has been unsatisfactory for fans. We must now focus totally on the remainder of the season.”

Matthew Benham also said: “Under Mark’s stewardship, Brentford have achieved a high league position and played football which is a joy to watch. “It is difficult to seek to implement change, particularly when things appear to be going so well, but I am single minded in my resolve that we can leave no stone unturned in our quest for sustainable Premier League Football.”

“Innovation, not increased funding, can be the only route to success for clubs such as ours, and I fully accept that innovation is never without risk. “We are continuing to build a strong base for the future.”

“Everything has been perfectly amicable between all parties and we remain friends.”

Mark Warburton said: “I will be forever grateful to Matthew for giving me the opportunity to be Manager of this fantastic Football Club and for what he has done for the Club since I have been here.”

“It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to do the job and I have had the pleasure of working with a fantastic group of players and staff and have enjoyed the backing of a magnificent set of supporters.”

“While I am disappointed that we have been unable to reconcile some key philosophical differences, I’m relieved we now have clarity.”

“In my remaining time at the Club we shall move heaven and earth to get the promotion that the players, fans and Matthew deserve and going forward, I wish the club every success in its ongoing adventure.”

“I have enormous respect for Matthew and his investment in the Club and he has the absolute right to run the club in the manner he deems most appropriate and beneficial. I have the privilege of managing an outstanding group of players, a group which has demonstrated a work ethic, a harmony and no shortage of quality.”

“David and I, and indeed all the staff, remain totally focused on supporting this squad of players and ensuring they are best prepared for each and every remaining fixture this season.

“Please be absolutely reassured that nothing will detract from our work for Brentford Football Club between now and the end of the season.”

Quite how the players will react to these developments, who knows, only time will tell. Let’s hope that Mark Warburton is able to focus their minds on not letting this season implode… And whether Warbs will remain until the curtain comes down is very much down to what opportunities arise elsewhere … for the moment let’s assume that is the case.

Either way, the long-term vision for the club has been laid down – and although it may take a little time to absorb and digest that vision – I firmly believe Mathew Benham deserves our support and hope fan infighting can be avoided if at all possible. The bigger picture cannot be ignored, surely?

My only wish is that Mark Warburton shared the same vision and cold remain at the club long into the future. He’s a man that we all admire and thank for what he has done for the fans and our football club.

Dave Lane

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