Star leaving the Blades boardroom for seat in terraces

Star leaving the Blades boardroom for seat in terraces
By Lizzie Murphy

12 Dec 2007

HOLLYWOOD actor Sean Bean is to stand down as a director of Sheffield

United after admitting he is more comfortable on the terraces than in the

board room.

The lifelong Blades fan believes he has served his purpose in helping to

raise the profile at Bramall Lane and now wants to return to the terraces

where he feels at home.

Mr Bean, invited on to the board by plc chairman Kevin McCabe in 2002 said:

"The club has come on leaps and bounds in the past five years and I'm proud

to have played a small part in that.

"But as someone who is very passionate about his football, I know my place

is out there with the fans who support the club week in week out, whoever is

in charge.

"I'll still get to as many Blades matches as I can – all that will change is

that I won't have the luxury of a comfy seat in the directors' box."

It is understood the movie star will not be withdrawing the six-figure investment

he made in Sheffield United at the time of joining the board.

The actor, who first watched United as an eight-year-old, became embroiled in a

public spat with former manager Neil Warnock who he still blames for last

season's relegation.

He added: "I would have liked to have been more involved in the day-to-day

running of the club but when your job takes you away for months at a time

that simply isn't possible."

Mr Bean was prominent in the fight to regain Premier League status this

summer, leading a march on Parliament and delivering a speech to protest

at the FA's handling of the Carlos Tevez affair.