Post by Redz on Sept 11, 2006 13:49:54 GMT
By Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo
ACTOR Ricky Tomlinson - on behalf of his alter ego Mike Bassett - today dug deep to back the campaign to bring Michael Shields home.
In the guise of the Wirral County boss, he told the country's football community: "Let's all get together in support of this innocent lad."
After handing the ECHO a cheque for £250, Ricky - or, rather, Mike - said: "Wirral County is on the bones of its bottom and this money had been earmarked for three new signings, but some things are more important than football.
"If just four individuals from all 92 league clubs gave the same amount, Michael would be back."
Michael's campaigners have to raise £90,000-plus to bring the 19-year-old back from Bulgaria to serve the remainder of his 10-year sentence in the UK.
Ricky/Mike added: "I'm sure our amateur teams would also love to show their support for Michael - there's no reason why every level of the game can't get involved."
Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson, heading the campaign, responded: "That such a dynamic manager as Mike Bassett is getting behind Michael and showing the way forward is marvellous.
"Let's hope players, managers and chairmen follow his lead."
Michael was originally jailed for 15 years after a Bulgarian court convicted him of attempted murder following an attack on waiter Martin Georgiev in May 2005.
Anfield electrician Graham Sankey confessed to the attack, but judges refused to consider his statement and Sankey later retracted it.
At an appeal hearing earlier this year, the court cut Michael's sentence to 10 years.
ANYONE wishing to donate to the fund can visit Lloyds Bank in Castle Street. The account number is 02499003 and sort code 30-95-11.
DONT miss tomorrow's ECHO, when Ricky, aka Jim Royle, welcomes the return of The Royle Family.