Clegg to the rescue? Deputy PM pleads for Sheffield Wednesday survival
By politics.co.uk staff
An under fire Nick Clegg has promised to assist “in any way I can” to bring about the rescue of troubled football club Sheffield Wednesday.
The club avoided a winding-up order at the High Court today, but – as Mr Clegg pointed out – the result is only a “stay of execution”.
The Sheffield Hallam MP added: “Much more needs to be done to safeguard the long-term future of this wonderful football club.
“I will continue to help all parties in any way I can to find a workable solution to the club’s plight.
“I know how much Sheffield Wednesday means to the fans and the city itself and a successful long-term solution must now be found.”
Sheffield Wednesday now has 28 days to find the required investment needed to avoid another appearance in court.
The fortunes of the club have mirrored those of the deputy prime minister, who continues to be attacked over his party’s U-turn on a pledge made during the election campaign not to support any rise increase in tuition fees.
Poor poll ratings and weeks of grim headlines for the Lib Dems have been compounded by an expert’s warning today that the party is staring at a horrendous mauling at the next general election.
A significant caveat is that that election remains nearly five years away, though this will do little to encourage Lib Dem councillors and candidates facing local and devolved elections in May 2011.
