Foster and Birch are on the ball about United

11.28.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th Aug 2009

Nick Perry, Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Hastings & Rye, has spoken out in support of two Labour politicians this week, following their comments about Hastings United and the future of the Pilot Field.

Responding to the Labour pair's comments in last week's Hastings Observer, Nick said,

"It is great to be able to agree with political opponents for a change. I think Michael and Jeremy were right to say that the Council should be helping the town's football club a bit more, and supporting it in its bid to build for the future.

"I am told that there have also been opportunities missed to fund adequately the ongoing costs of the running track at William Parker Sports College.

"I have been involved in sport at all kinds of levels over the years and I know just how important a role sport can play in regenerating an area.

"Perhaps there are criticisms to be levelled both at the Conservative Council and the Labour Government regarding whether sport has had a high enough profile in the town's regeneration plans.

"It is crucial that our young people in particular have access to good quality leisure and sport facilities: for their health, education and development. We need a step change in this arena," he said.

ENDS

Notes to editors: whilst at university Nick won a Cambridge Blue and a student international cap for Rugby League. He was also an active Rugby Union referee for a number of seasons for the London Society of Referees.

See attached link to an article in The Independent at the time of the 1997 Varsity match victory for Cambridge against Oxford University:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-another-blue-day-for-oxford-1272657.html