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MP John Leech demonstrated to try to save Sven-Goran Eriksson’s job
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MP joins City fans at Save Sven demo
Susannah Wright15/ 5/2008
CITY-MAD MP John Leech joined thousands of other Blues’ fans to demonstrate against the club’s owner Thaksin Shinawatra, following reports that he is to sack boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The Withington MP is a lifelong City fan and he joined around 4,000 fans at the club’s Eastlands’ stadium at the weekend, holding aloft ‘Save Sven’ banners and chanting in support of the manager.
Mr Leech, 37, who first saw his team aged five, and who has been a season-ticket holder for 25 years, also signed a petition that was handed in during the demonstration.
Eriksson is due to meet Shinawatra to discuss the situation amid rumours that Portuguese manager Scolari and Barcelona’s Rijkaard could be in the running to take over.
The Lib Dem MP said: "It would be a massive blow to the club if Sven was sacked. He’s brought a lot of stability to the club, which some of the previous managers didn’t really do, and I think he’s been a good calming influence.
"He’s brought in some good players too, like Elano, Petrov and Corluka, and I think he just needs to be given more time and more money to have a real chance of getting the club somewhere.
"There was a lot of rallying and chanting at the demonstration, but it was all good-natured, and I think that showed how much City fans really want to keep Sven."
Mr Leech says he saw some of the club’s last game on television the following day, when City were beaten 8-1 by Middlesborough.
He said: "I know the last game went horribly wrong, but we still finished ninth in the league and I think that’s quite reasonable.
"I think one of the problems is that we started the season really well, which probably raised expectations by the owner, but when we dropped down those expectations weren’t realised. Of course, a lot of the time now, football is all about money and although I don’t have a problem with foreign investors owning the club, it needs to be someone who has the best interests of the club at heart.
"If Thaksin Shinawatra does have the best interests of the club at heart then he’ll get the support of the City fans, but if he doesn’t, he won’t."
Mr Leech goes to all the home games with his father and a friend, and since following City, his favourite manager has been Brian Horton. His favourite all-time player is Shaun Goater who he says ‘epitomised the spirit of City by always giving 100 per cent and never giving up.’
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I too was a life long City fan....I stood in the pouring rain and watched City lose 0-1 to the best team to come to Maine Road...Spurs with Mackay and John White.
I gave up on the Blues when the powers that be decided to sell ownership to a foreigner who has nothing at all to do with the club, the city or the region.
I now go to Sale where I can enjoy a game of rugby, at a good price, not hear swearing near my children, and have a beer in my seat if I want.
I wish City well....but the word Titanic springs to mind.
16/05/2008 at 02:05