'It's his own stupid fault'

From the archive, first published Monday 4th Dec 2006.

Julian Rhodes today hit back at Danny Cadamarteri's claims that City have ruined his career by blasting: Don't blame anyone but yourself.

The Valley Parade chairman broke his silence over the Cadamarteri affair after the striker accused the club of treating him badly over his drug ban.

Cadamarteri claimed in a national newspaper that he was "disgusted" with City's handling of the affair after he failed a drugs test at a game

in March.

And he accused them of ditching his

contract halfway through once he was slapped with a six-month suspension.

But an angry Rhodes said it was about time that the 27-year-old, who scored only nine goals in 97 games for his home-town club, held his hand up for his own mistakes.

Rhodes said: "It was his own stupid fault that resulted in the ban but if he wants to go down blaming everybody else then that's his problem.

"He signed a mutual cancellation of the contract. What did he expect us to do, carry on paying him for six months while he got himself banned?

"How dare he claim that we ruined his career over money. Everybody knows how sensitive an issue finances always are at this football club and the thought of paying somebody for not playing was never going to happen."

Cadamarteri was banned after traces of ephedrine were found in a routine post-match urine check by drug testers UK Sport.

He claimed that he had taken Day Nurse to shake off a virus, although ephedrine is understood not to be among the ingredients in the powerful cold remedy.

The ban finished on November 10 and Cadamarteri, who lost an appeal to clear his name, is still looking for a new club.

He was poised to land a short-term contract with Barnsley until boss Andy Ritchie was sacked and is currently on trial at City's League One rivals Oldham.

Cadamarteri still believes he can play at a higher level and rekindle the days when he burst onto the scene as a hot teenage prospect with Everton but Rhodes is sceptical.

The City chairman added: "He certainly wasn't one of the best players here last season as he thought.

"It's about time that Cadamarteri stopped telling people how good he could be and perhaps showed that he is. He should do his talking with his feet."