TO THE OFFICE..

There is more than one curiosity about the goings on at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.   Whilst the prime focus of the media`s attention has been on the panic appointment of Paulo Di Canio as the football club`s head coach, rather less has been said about the `resignation` of David Miliband as Vice-Chairman and Executive Director of the club.

Miliband was appointed to the post a couple of years ago at a salary reported to be £50,000 a year to `be the voice of the club around the world,` but has apparently spent just 15 days at it.  And this despite him being a keen Arsenal fan.  He has also recently resigned his seat in Parliament representing South Shields, an area with strong local connections to Sunderland`s arch rivals Newcastle.   He is due to take up a role in New York with International Rescue Committee.   Gee, Mr. Tracey, here comes Brains.

Miliband`s reason/excuse for leaving Sunderland is `entirely due to Mr. Di Canio`s appointment and his past political statements and nothing to do with his forthcoming move to New York.`  So that`s OK then.   But for all Miliband`s faux indignation there remains the equally convincing suggestion that Mr. Di Canio himself insisted that a condition of him accepting the role of Head Coach was that Miliband resigned.   

You see, I`m always nervous of people who, having been in high places, set up `an office.`  The Office of David Miliband has been set up with registered offices in London`s West End in a move reminiscent of his former mentor Tony Blair, who set up The Office of Tony Blair when, mercifully, he stepped down as Prime Minister.   Delusions of adequacy seem to abound but at least Miliband won`t have to pose in a Mackems shirt waving a banana around any more.   I suspect the Sunderland fans might well view Di Canio`s appointment with fortissimo mixed feelings but Miliband`s departure with soto voce indifference.

As for me, I`m thinking of setting up The Office of Snopper with registered offices in the Land of Nod, which will have as much legitimacy and value as others I`ve mentioned.