Jungle pals plan soccer success (From Barry And District News)

Jungle pals plan soccer success

Barry Town Football Club's vibrant chairman John Fashanu has struck up another new friendship as a direct result of his rumble in the jungle.

And this could mean a bright new future for Welsh football!

After checking into a luxury hotel in Australia, Fash was approached by Sian Lloyd's politician boyfriend Lembit Opik, the Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire.

Lembit told the News: "When I walked into the bar in the hotel after I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here ended, it was the first time I had seen John.

"But Sian had spoken to me so much about him from her time in the jungle that I felt I knew him.

"I was definitely comfortable enough to go up and talk to him.

"It turned out she has spoken about me to him just as much, because he knew a lot about me, and we just started chatting very naturally."

It was not long before their conversation turned to the beautiful game.

Lembit added: "Both of us have a passion for football.

"Ever since I was a young child I've supported Leicester City although I am not in the slightest bit talented.

"Within minutes of talking we started thinking about working together and about the future of Welsh football.

"As a politician, I want to see a cross-party involvement in the support of our Welsh clubs and the development of young, fresh talent.

"And without putting words in John's mouth, he wants to see the same as a former player, chairman of Barry Town and an ambassador for the sport."

Since coming home to Britain, Lembit and John have met up three times; once socially, once at a football final, and once in the Houses of Parliament for a businesses lunch.

Lembit added: "Last Thursday (May 22), John came to lunch with his financial director Sanjay Patel for discussions on how to take our ideas forward."