AFC Telford boss Lee Carter says job and MP bid will not clash
The off-field boss of AFC Telford United today insisted his bid for a career in politics is "entirely separate" to his job with the club.
Lee Carter, managing director of the fan-owned club, is seeking the Labour Party nomination for the Wrekin constituency for the 2015 election.
The constituency, held by Tory Mark Pritchard since 2005, is considered a safe Conservative seat. At the last election in 2010 Mr Pritchard was returned with a majority of more than 9,000.
Mr Carter said that, although he planned to use some of the skills gained from football in his campaigning, the two roles would remain separate.
He said: "They are two entirely separate things. The football club is apolitical – it enjoys cross-party support and it must stay apolitical.
"I have got a job to do here, the same as if I worked in an office – my boss would want me to still put all my efforts into my job and that's what I will do.
"I have often thought football and politics are very similar. From a community and football point of view, when it's good it's good, but it's a harsh business as well.
"For the past decade I have been serving people and engaging people and a lot of what I have done in football can transfer to politics."
The constituency party must now choose between all the candidates for the nomination to decide who will challenge Mr Pritchard in 2015.
Mr Carter was the driving force behind the setting up of AFC Telford United and te supporters trust that runs the club after Telford United went bust in 2004.
He said a desire to represent local people was behind his decision to bid for the nomination, adding: "There are some very talented and capable people who want to represent the people of the Wrekin and I have got to win that vote first. I am not a career politician, and I have not actively been involved in politics, although I am a member of the Labour Party.
"This is led by a desire to engage with people and represent local people, and to provide a full-time voice because there are very significant challenges that need to be faced this time.
"There is a sense of disillusionment with politics at the moment and people are facing some very real and tough challenges, so I think someone who is from the local area who was born and brought up here, and worked in the local community, would have a good chance of sealing a Labour victory."
