Former Stoke City footballer wins council seat for Reform UK

Graham Shaw, a retired professional footballer who played for Stoke City, Preston North End and Rochdale, has secured a seat on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council following Thursday's local elections.

The former player claimed victory in the Knutton ward, standing as a Reform UK candidate.

Shaw's transition from football to politics comes after more than four decades of living and working in the area.

His election forms part of a broader wave of Reform gains across the country, as voters went to polling stations on 7 May with the party making significant inroads in numerous localities.

Reform states that Shaw believes he has observed Newcastle's deterioration firsthand and entered the political arena to help revive civic pride, champion local enterprises, and confront issues of crime and antisocial behaviour.

Speaking to the BBC, the newly elected councillor explained that residents he encountered while canvassing appeared ready to "give him a chance" owing to their disillusionment with the state of national politics.

This sentiment of voter frustration with Westminster appears to have benefited Reform candidates across England, with the party capitalising on discontent with both major parties as counting continues across the country.

With results still being tallied, Reform has established itself as the dominant force in these elections.

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The party's surge has come predominantly at the expense of the two traditional governing parties, with Labour and the Conservatives enduring rough evenings.

Shaw first played for Stoke in the 1985-86 season when they were in the Second Division.

He would make 117 appearances during his maiden spell at the club, scoring 23 goals.

Shaw moved to Preston North End in 1989 and immediately hit the ground running, netting 11 goals from 37 appearances.

After three years, he returned to Stoke in 1992.

Following a brief stint with Plymouth Argyle, the 58-year-old retired in 1996 after two spells with Rochdale.

His career in football wasn't without silverware, with the Reform politician winning the Second Division with Stoke in 1993.

Overall, he played 343 matches, scoring a respectable 72 goals.