Backing the Bees, just not in person

3:16pm Tuesday 31st January 2006

Duncan Macdonald backed Barnet Football Club to the hilt before winning the recent council by-election in High Barnet announcing that the Lib Dems were the only party to back the Bees' Working Together plan, which outlines the club's future in the borough. He even got current leadership contender Simon Hughes to join him at a game, and walked into the election count swathed in a black and amber scarf.

But he may find it a tad tricky to watch any more matches at Underhill this season, because the 3pm kick-offs clash with the new arrangements for his weekly ward surgery, which will be at Chipping Barnet Library from 3.30pm to 5pm.

His election mantra may have been only the Liberal Democrats unreservedly back the Bees', but Mr Macdonald rejects claims that he has been insincere, saying that he never actually called himself a fan.

"It is the only time that the library could fit me in for surgeries," he said.

"There are a lot of services which I won't necessarily use but that I can back. I am very keen the football club stay where they are"

And the Lib Dem councillor hasn't completely ruled out catching a few games. "I would like to squeeze in a few games," he said. "Last year I managed to get to a couple."

If you are not a Barnet FC fan either, then you can meet Mr Macdonald at the library in Stapylton Road, Barnet, every Saturday at the aforementioned times.