Is reality beginning to hit home for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg? Has he begun to realise that when he next returns to Sheffield in an election campaign he is going to be serious trouble?Since he is breaking his key pledge during the last election campaign that he will vote against any rise in the cap on tuition fees, he is sure to be unpopular amongst the city’s voters – a large majority of which are students since the South Yorkshire city is home to not one, but two universities.
So it seems he is trying to get back some support by offering his support to prevent local football club Sheffield Wednesday falling into administration (but don't expect any form of loan).
Mr Clegg’s Sheffield Hallam constituency used to cover Bramall Lane, home of archrivals Sheffield United, until border changes saw the area taken over by Sheffield Central, so you could argue his allegiances are with the red half of Sheffield. But in an article published in the Daily Mail, Mr Clegg has spoken out in support of Wednesday, whose home of Hillsborough is in the neighbouring constituency.
Wednesday are currently in dire straits and about £30m in debt, and are dependent on an eleventh-hour takeover to avoid administration and the automatic deduction of 10 points that would present them with a fight against relegation to League Two. If that was not bad enough, the club must find £600,000 to survive a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs, who have also brought a second petition over £300,000 in unpaid VAT.
In the article, Mr Clegg said: “Wednesday is a fantastic club that means so much to so many people in Sheffield. I am in regular contact with Howard Wilkinson on this issue and I will continue to help where I can in my role as a Sheffield MP.”
“All Owls fans will be hoping that there’s a successful long-term solution to the club’s financial problems”, he said.
The Mail article also reports that the former Portsmouth and Leicester owner Milan Mandaric is plotting a potential takeover package. As a former season-ticket holder at Hillsborough, if this move keeps the club out of administration then this news is very welcome. But for Mr Clegg however this will be just the start as he looks to win back some local support.
