Psychic: I can help Stoke City avoid Premier League relegation
PSYCHIC Dean Maynard believes he can help Stoke City to victory this season as they aim to defy widespread predictions of relegation from the Premier League.
He says good fortune is something which comes naturally to him and has pledged to do his best to make sure some of it rubs off on the Potters.
The 36-year-old says he thinks the team has the players and the supporters it needs to get points on the board.
But by giving Stoke City his support, he believes they might just be given a few last-minute lucky shots.
He said: “I think that the fans will be sceptical and I respect them for that, but as long as they give me a chance to show what I can do then seeing will be believing.
“If Stoke City get points on the board and do well, I am a realist and I know that it is down to the club, the team and the management.
“But if they get a few points off last-minute goals here and there, I hope they will give me a chance.”
Lucky charm Dean made his first prediction at the age of nine, when he picked a Grand National winner.
A number of successes backing footballing underdogs followed, before he made headlines in 2005 after being approached to help Sunderland FC out of a hole.
He said fans believed the club was jinxed after a player claimed to have seen a training ground ghost.
Dean added that a run of defeats, penalty misses and injuries was halted when he gave them his total backing.
And after his profile was boosted by his work in the North East, the man known as “Midas” was called upon to work his magic at Torquay Utd (shock 4-1 cup win over Yeovil) and even to lead a campaign to restore David Beckham to the England team.
Also, Dean has turned his hand to showbiz, being thanked by several X Factor and Britain's Got Talent finalists who he picked out at an early stage and willed to success.
But next season, Dean, who lives in County Durham, will be focusing on the Britannia Stadium, as he plans to watch the Potters in action during trips to North Staffordshire to visit family in Newcastle.
But he added: “If it all goes wrong at the end of the season, I will take all the stick that comes with that.”
Bryan Shaw, chairman of Stoke's official supporters' club, promised Dean an end-of-season pint if his off-field presence led to on-field success.
He said: “Any help Stoke can get this year is welcome and if he can make any difference whatsoever in a positive manner it will be welcome.
“If we can get 38 last-minute winners this season then I think we'll be all right.”
A Stoke City spokesman said the club would be pleased to see Dean at the Britannia.
He added: “We welcome his support as much as any other fan.”
2 Comments
by Stephanie, Newcastle
Thursday, July 31 2008, 3:14PM
“I beleive solomnly in the 6th sense and the minds of the players will be controlling their every move in the game and they should already know about 'psyching themsleves up' but this is taking them to a mental level where their minds SHOULD be in order to REALLY keep on top...It will give them the inner confidence and will power if they work with the likes of Dean Maynard and other psychics like myself but I don't think that Dean is enough on his own...The players have an already strong presence and I don't think Dean will do it alone so how about some more psychics on board? I'd be interested in their lives away from the pitch to make sure they are keeping on their toes as they need that professionalism outside their training to really stay not just in the Premiership but to move up...I forsee they can do this but they will need the right help and regular solo meditation sessions as relaxing is just as important as playing...Good luck Dean and if you need someone else on board???! : )”
by Anonymous, Newcastle
Thursday, July 31 2008, 3:11PM
“I beleive solomnly in the 6th sense and the minds of the players will be controlling their every move in the game and they should already know about 'psyching themsleves up' but this is taking them to a mental level where their minds SHOULD be in order to REALLY keep on top...It will give them the inner confidence and will power if they work with the likes of Dean Maynard and other psychics myslef but I don't think that Dean is enough on his own...The players have an already strong presence and I don't think Dean will do it alone so how about some more psychics on board? I'd be interested in their lives away from the pitch too to make sure they are keeping on their toes as they need that professionalism outside their training to really stay not just in the Premiership but to move up...I forsee they can do this but they will need the right help and regular solo meditation sessions as relaxing is just as inportant as playing...Good luck Dean and if you need someone else on board???! : )”