Blackburn-loving Blackpool councillor left red-faced after donkey derby own goal

21 March 2011 19:18
It is the scenario the phrase 'conflict of interest' could have been invented for: the local politician who hates the team he represents and supports their bitter arch-rivals.[LNB]But to make this conflict even better, the villain of the piece even has the same name as the team in question and is happy to broadcast his contempt for them on the Internet during a match between the two.[LNB]Simon Blackburn, prospective leader of the Labour Council in Blackpool, could not hide his fury when his beloved Rovers fell 2-0 down at home to the Seasiders at the weekend, reverting to type and suggesting the very people that voted him into office prefer the intimate company of four-legged animals to that of their own species.[LNB] How he might look: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway if he was ever to take charge of donkeys on the seafront [LNB]And to compound the felony, the 37-year-old issued a Facebook statement when the wound was fresh that has left his constituents furious.[LNB]The councillor's own goal saw him proclaim: 'Oh my actual God...the donkey-botherers are 2-0 up thanks to two of the worst refereeing decisions ever!'[LNB]An absolute tower: Blackpool councillor Simon Blackburn has netted an own goal with his donkey comments[LNB]The Blackpool public have indeed become bothered but the only ass is Mr Blackburn.[LNB]He claims the remarks were made 'in private' and apologised but Donkey-gate could spell the end of the promenade for the red-faced Labour man.[LNB]And voters look to be deserting him in droves - even though his love of Blackburn Rovers was well-known beforehand.[LNB]Blackpool man Thomas Jones said: 'I can't believe he has made this comment about the players. It's disgusting. [LNB]'I know he supports Blackburn but you can't go putting remarks like that out there for everyone to see. [LNB]'Charlie Adam and the boys are heroes. And this from the guy who wants to be leader of Blackpool Council.'[LNB]Local message boards are also crackling with tangerine flames, with shocked fans insisting: 'Bit of an own goal by the guy, he may live to regret that, he has always admitted his affiliation to t'rovers though but he shouldn't bitethe hand that feeds.'[LNB]Another said: 'They have to learn to act in a responsible manner. Unfortunately Mr Blackburn has demonstrated complete disregard for the people that he represents. [LNB]'Whiffs of Gordon Brown and the bigoted woman comments, that cost him the general election.'[LNB] For the record, the Premier League clash match finished 2-2 so Mr Blackburn's 'claims' were indeed premature.[LNB]Both teams claimed a point but the one he made could point the way towards a landslide defeat at the next election and he may have to sell his chain of office on e-bray just to make ends meet.[LNB] Liverpool and Spurs set for new race to sign Blackpool ace Adam after star showing at Ewood ParkBlackburn 2 Blackpool 2: Hoilett hoists Rovers to precious point at the deathGraham Poll: Call that a ban? Sir Alex Ferguson still able to have his sayFabio Capello hands Matt Jarvis first England call-up in squad of few surprisesAll the latest Blackburn news, views and opinionAll the latest Blackpool news, views and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Gordon Brown, Charlie Adam

Source: Daily_Mail