Icke to stand in By-election

Not too many ex-Hereford United footballers have gone into politics, but one former goalkeeper, David Icke, has put his name forward as a candidate in the forthcoming by-election at Haltemprice and Howden on 10 July.

The election takes place as former Tory deputy leader David Davis recently resigned his seat so as to make a stand about civil liberties.

Icke hasn't yet declared what 'party' he is representing but he joins 25 other candidates trying to topple Davis.

Icke has made a name for himself by researching "who and what is really controlling the world." Since giving up football he has been a reporter, television sports presenter, spokesman for the Green Party, and the author of 20 books explaining his views.

No doubt he will lose his deposit but the publicity he will receive by standing will probably outweigh the £500 outlay.

Icke moved to Hereford from Coventry in August 1972 but his spell at the Bulls was ruined by injury. He had rheumatoid arthritis but played on until the end of the 1972/73 season.

"I was in agony every morning at training until my joints were warmed up and loosened a little," said Icke.

Towards the end of the season, the pain disappeared for a month but one morning he woke to find that every one of his joints was hurting. He quit immediately, but is remembered by Hereford fans for never losing at Edgar Street. He played in 37 games for the Bulls.

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