The scandalous reason these cheerleaders were sacked

The millionaire owner of British football club Billericay Town has sacked the club's cheerleaders due to their relationship with the players.

After signing up the girls to cheer at home games for the club just weeks ago, steel tycoon Glenn Tamplin pulled the plug on the idea after realising his players were becoming unfocused, according to The Sun.

The players, who included former Premier League stars Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O’Hara and Paul Konchesky, initially met the club's new cheerleaders a few weeks ago to check out their new routine.

"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 (Tamplin).

"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."

One of the leaders of the cheer squad, Bekka Batchelor, expressed her disappointment with the hasty decision.

"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."

A source close to Tamplin told the Sun that the millionaire owner wanted to project the right image.

"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."

Tamplin has turned the club around after taking over last year, investing $2.6 million alongside TV personality Mark Wright.

Billericay are currently in the seventh tier of English soccer.