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    Woking’s director of football and chairman speak out after Jermain Defoe’s departure

    sportsnewsukBy No Comments9 Mins Read
    Woking's director of football and chairman speak out after Jermain Defoe's departure

    Woking’s director of football Jody Brown and chairman Todd Johnson speak out after Jermain Defoe’s departure from the club.

    The 43 year old former footballer replaced Neal Ardley in March, won two out of six matches, with the Cardinals finishing 10th in the National League for the 2025/26 season.

    According to BBC Surrey and Sussex sports editor Robin Grey, ‘off-field issues’ is ‘probably’ the reason behind his exit, no mention for director of football Jody Brown in his post.

    @Love_non_league posted a tweet, saying: “Is he [Defoe] available for an exit interview, we have a few questions 🥴”

    @Cardinal27 replied: “I can answer them for you if you like… Our Director of Football thinks he runs the club, calls all the shots, chose all the trialists, none of which JD wanted, and is very tight with the owner. All of which led to empty promises.”

    Woking’s director of football Jody Brown (@jodybrown2012) said: “Of the vast number of triallist, I did not choose one. Not one. Jermain led all recruitment and all triallists. All Jermain’s contacts, all linked to him. Every single one. Empty promises? We gave everything that was asked. Everything. I’m sure it’ll all come out in due course.”

    After Defoe’s exit was announced, @KieranMaguire tweeted: “Woking we’re losing £35k a week and ran up total losses of over £12m prior to Defoe’s arrival.”

    Jody Brown responded: “Appears a deliberately negative and loaded comment from a respected authority in football finance.

    “This is June 2025 accounts from under previous ownership.

    “Jermain was hired in April 2026 under new ownership.

    “Unsure of the motives behind making this post today. Or the relevance.”

    Jermain Defoe speaks on leaving Woking after 4 months and 6 league games in charge

    In a new statement via the club website, Jody Brown said: “Jermain Defoe was an outstanding player, scored a vast number of goals, and is a very likeable guy.

    “The feeling I get from within the football industry and its global support is not one of great surprise, but of course our own fanbase want and deserve some kind of clarity.

    “The recommendation to appoint Jermain as manager was mine, and I take full responsibility for it. After meeting with him on several occasions, I believed he was the right person to lead the club into an exciting new era. As we have seen many times before, success as a player does not always translate into management and leadership. I sincerely hope to see him succeed in whichever direction he follows.

    “I do not intend to discuss internal matters more than necessary or attribute blame. I’ve seen the speculation. Instead, I want to make clear that the club was fully committed to supporting Jermain in every sense throughout his time in the role.

    “All player recruitment, staffing decisions and football matters were heavily influenced by Jermain, and he was given the necessary operational and board support. In any organisation there are processes to follow. Just days before his departure, the club were delighted to finalise the signing of an excellent player identified by Jermain, again illustrating the support the club had given right up until his final day.

    “Jermain’s feedback was always positive, and he regularly expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the season, both publicly and privately. I can therefore appreciate the surprise and subsequent speculation surrounding his sudden departure.

    “However, in recent weeks there had been feedback from across the club, including players, staff and other departments, regarding growing concerns. To better understand the situation, I asked Jermain and Paul for a brief report outlining the squad’s current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges, so we could provide the support required and accelerate preparations for the season. That report was requested on more than one occasion but was never received.

    “A meeting was subsequently scheduled involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and Head of Operations to review preparations for the season. Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day’s training session. Throughout his tenure, Jermain had never communicated any serious concerns directly to me, so I am not going to speculate on his reasons.

    “Every football club faces challenges. Players want more game time, improved contracts or transfers. The media team might want better equipment, the medical department more interns, the strength and conditioning staff larger gym space. and the car park attendants may want more coffee. But people do not just fail to turn up.

    “The experience has highlighted lessons for both myself and the club, particularly around communication with Jermain and his representatives throughout the four months and six matches he was with us. Throughout that period, the club’s objective remained the same: to support the players and staff and give the project every opportunity to succeed.

    “I wish Jermain every success in the future and thank him and his staff for their efforts.”

    “Our focus is now firmly on Woking Football Club and everyone who cares about it, while maintaining the standards, culture and preparations required ahead of the new season.”

    Woking chairman Todd Johnson said in a statement: “To all Woking Football Club supporters,

    “Following yesterday’s announcement, I wanted to write to you personally.

    “Firstly, I want to acknowledge the disappointment many of you are feeling following the managerial change so close to the start of the National League season. I can assure you that every decision made by the club is taken with the best long-term interests of Woking Football Club, at its heart.

    “I also want to reassure every supporter of one thing: Woking Football Club remains in a strong position, and our ambitions have not changed.

    “Over the past eighteen months, we have worked hard to build a football club with solid foundations, clear direction and a sustainable future. Those foundations are built on the collective efforts of our staff, players, volunteers, partners and, most importantly, our supporters.

    “Throughout its history, Woking Football Club has overcome challenges because of the strength, resilience and unity of its people, supporters, staff, volunteers and players. I have every confidence we will do so again.

    “As chairman, I remain fully committed to this football club, to our long-term vision, and to delivering success both on and off the pitch. My commitment is unwavering, and yesterday’s announcement does not alter our ambitions in any way.

    “Your support has always been our greatest strength, and together we will move forward with confidence and determination.

    “Thank you, as always, for your loyalty, passion and support.”

    Woking have also confirmed the interim appointments of Craig Ross and Jake Hyde.

    Jody Brown said to the club’s media: “Craig and Jake have been an important part of this football club for a long time”

    “They know the players and the environment exceptionally well. They have the full confidence of everyone at the football club, most importantly the players and support staff”

    “They’ll do everything to ensure the group gets to where it needs to be for the start of the season, providing the leadership and continuity we need”

    “I know they’ll have the full backing of the players and our supporters.”

    Here’s how social media reacted after Woking’s director of football and chairman speak out following Jermain Defoe’s departure…

    @CairoCardinal: At least some clarification of the situation here. Honestly, not surprised if this is all accurate. I just couldn’t see the club parting ways with JD unless he had a big part in the fallout. The PR is too important, they would’ve taken his side as much as they could.

    @MartynSHall: I can understand the club’s position. Jody has taken responsibility of appointment. It failed. So, now, let’s move on. We have a GREAT coach/manager team in Craig and Jake. These guys have the heart of the club. One thing I ask Jody and the management, is make it permanent!

    @BenAFletcher: Whatever JD’s reasons for leaving are (as I said on @tSHandJ) the timing of his departure alone will have damaged his stock. This is the sort of honest communication we -as fans- want to see more of. It sounds like @jodybrown2012 and @wokingfc couldn’t have done more. ❤️🤍

    @WokingfcReport: Definitely an interesting statement… Obviously it’s hard to take everything said here as fact because Defoe is saying a vastly different story, but there must be some truth to it. I don’t think Jody would completely fabricate things. Just need to move on now…

    @richrparry: Rare to see a club statement this detailed about a manager’s exit. Framing Defoe as uncommunicative and unprofessional… it’s a bit of a legal minefield. Hard to imagine the LMA won’t be all over this.



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