Club backs Jennings

THE Amalgamated Boys Club are standing behind a remorseful Matt Jennings.

The island's leading boxer (pictured) pleaded guilty in court last week to possessing class A and class B drugs and was fined £1,000.

When the Guernsey Press broke the story on Monday, the club's head coach, Graham Guilbert, had originally said that it would signal the end of the 32-year-old cruiserweight's career.

But in a dramatic U-turn, Guilbert later told other media that his prize fighter should be given a second chance. He also claimed that the Press had misquoted him, but he declined to repeat that yesterday when contacted.

Instead he referred to a statement that the club's president, Dave Hadlington, had issued yesterday morning following their committee meeting the previous night, in which he said; 'While not condoning the use of recreational drugs in any shape or form the committee of the Amalgamated Boys Club stand firmly behind Matthew Jennings. He has made one mistake in an otherwise exemplary career in amateur boxing in an amateur sport.

'His punishment will be dealt with in the very near future after consultation with the governing body of the Amateur Boxing Association.'

The former novice heavyweight champion of Great Britain also issued a statement yesterday.

'Firstly I would like to apologise to my family, friends and the local boxing community for my recent actions which have had boxing in the news for all the wrong reasons,' he said. 'I have been punished by the courts, I accept I have done wrong and will work hard during the months ahead to rebuild my reputation and I hope the community will give me that opportunity.'