FOOTBALL mad Martin Bland has gone further than most to mark a historic FA Cup victory.
The Huddersfield-based Leeds United fan has entered the General Election race to commemorate the Whites’ famous victory over Manchester United in January.
But, after discovering he had left it too late to launch his new party – We Beat The Scum One Nil – he decided he would change his name by deed poll instead.
Martin, now known as We Beat The Scum One Nil, will contest the Leeds Central constituency as an independent candidate against heavyweight politicians such as Hilary Benn (Lab) Alan Lamb (Con) and Michael Taylor (Lib Dem).
The 50-year-old plumber from Edgerton said his only goal was to help prolong the memory of the cup upset over Leeds’ most bitter rivals.
The 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford on January 3, was their first at the Premiership side’s ground since 1981.
He said: “As soon as the election was announced I decided to do it.
“I’m doing it because I’m into football and obviously it gives people a chance to waste their vote with a smile and remember that day in January.
“It’s up there with the games in Milan and Stuttgart and winning promotion against Sheffield United in 1990.”
Electoral rules state that candidates standing in a general election need 5% of the vote to get their £500 election deposit back.
The rule means Martin needs roughly 1,500 votes to win back his cash.
If he makes the target the father-of-two – who was born in Halifax but has supported Leeds all his life – has vowed to donate the full £500 to the charity appeal set up in memory of murdered Leeds fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight.
He said: “I don’t live in the constituency so there’s a chance I’ll get none as I can’t even vote for myself.
“But there are a lot of disillusioned voters out there.
“But my first target is for Leeds to get more points than Millwall, Swindon and Charlton.”
As for whether he’ll change his name back to Martin Bland following the May 6 poll?
“Not if I win!”
