Di Canio in Swindon, the Dog that Didn’t Bark

Mark Haddon’s book The Curious Incident Of the Dog In the Night-time was set in Swindon, referencing the famous dictum by Sherlock Holmes, in the story The Silver Blaze.

Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): “Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?
Holmes: “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.
Gregory: “The dog did nothing in the night-time.
Holmes: “That was the curious incident.

Throughout the recent furore concerning Paulo Di Canio, the contrast between the reaction to his appointment at Sunderland and his appointment at Swindon has been pronounced. For example, pompous Tory idiot Iain Dale: Continue reading

Paulo Di Canio: We Must Prevent Fascism Becoming Acceptible

I was delighted at the response of David Miliband in resigning as vice chair of Sunderland after the appointment of open fascist Paulo di Canio as manager. Since then, Durham NUM have asked for their banner to be returned, up until now proudly displayed at the Stadium of Light:

Davey Hopper, General Secretary of the NUM in Durham, and a former secretary at Monkwearmouth pit – on which Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is built – said the fury of his members had sparked the move.

He said: “We are writing to the club asking for the return of the banner unless Di Canio says he is not a fascist. Otherwise his appointment will besmirch the memory of the miners who lost their lives in the fight against fascism in World War II.

“We do not want our union associated with the club now.”

Back in 2011, Wiltshire and Swindon GMB, where I am branch secretary, withdrew our sponsorship and commercial links with Swindon Town FC, when they appointed Di Canio. During the twelve months up to that point we had provided £350 in direct sponsorship, and £3500 in business to the conference/catering arm as we used the club venue for training. Continue reading