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Is Miliband wrong to move the goalposts?
SICK as a parrot or over the moon? Football fans in South Tyneside have given a mixed reaction to news that David Miliband could be joining Sunderland.
As reported in the Gazette yesterday, the South Shields MP is in discussions with the Black Cats about taking a non-executive role as vice-chairman.
Mr Miliband – an Arsenal fan – is already president of South Shields FC, but could soon be a team-mate of Niall Quinn in the Stadium of Light directors' box. Council worker and Sunderland fan Janice Harvey, 45, is not convinced his heart would be in his new role.
She said: "He would do well to concentrate on his constituency.
"I don't think he has given it much thought. I don't really think he's a Sunderland supporter, and that won't bode well with the fans. The fans want someone with a feel for the club. Doesn't he support another team?
Fellow council worker Dana Anderson, of South Shields, didn't see why the appointment should come about, and was also concerned for South Shields as a constituency.
She said: "I think he's lost his focus – I wouldn't have put the two together. I would have expected him to spend more time with his constituents.
"Is the football going to take his focus off South Tyneside?"
Dennis Hepplewhite, 57, a caterer from South Shields, is a fervent Newcastle United supporter, as well as being one of Mr Miliband's constituents.
Perhaps surprisingly, he was positive about the MP's appointment, but had misgivings about the reported 50,000 annual salary.
He said: "I think it will be a good thing for the area. He works within the region. The length of time he's been in South Shields means he should know what the people want, and this raises our profile.
"But it might not be a good idea for him to have that salary, because of the way people will perceive it. Perhaps he should donate it back to the borough."
Customs House executive director Ray Spencer is also a Sunderland fanatic, and is very positive about the appointment.
He said: "I think it's interesting that Mr Miliband is going to join Sunderland Football Club in this capacity.
"They've had people in this sort of role in the past from different backgrounds, and I wish him well.
"He can offer a useful perspective as to their role in the global football world and he's realised, quite rightly, that Sunderland will soon supplant Arsenal both as a football club and in his affections."
Martyn McFadden, editor of the Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme, could also see the benefit in Mr Miliband becoming vice-chairman.
"David Miliband is going to be a famous figurehead for the club, and great to bring out when the red carpet is rolled out for VIPs.
"No disrespect to John Hays from Hays Travel who used to be vice-chairman, but Miliband is known around the world.
"I don't have a problem with him not being from the area. It's not as if Niall Quinn and Ellis Short grew up watching Sunderland from the Fulwell End.
"When the announcement is properly made, he could be a good servant for the club.
"As for the reported salary, it's not even a week's wages for some footballers. It's a lot of money to most people, but in football it's pennies.
"Once he takes up his position, I'm sure he'll earn his money."
News of Mr Miliband's possible new role attracted widespread media interest, with Gazette editor John Szymanski interviewed by BBC Radio Newcastle on the subject.
* In our online poll yesterday, 43 per cent of readers said it was a good move for Miliband to become Sunderland AFC's vice-chairman.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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