Sol Campbell snaps up North home

Jun 7 2009 by Laura Caroe, Sunday Sun

And Ian Herdman, who lives in the cottage next door with his partner Fiona, has now become one of Sol’s tenants. The 42-year-old forester said: “Sol hasn’t moved in yet and think it will be a while.

“But they seem to be busy renovating the hall and cottages. We have only met him the once and he seems great, really down to earth.

“It was quite a surprise to find out he was moving to this quiet village, it will probably be a culture shock after London. I believe they are building a tennis court.

“They definitely seem to be spending money like it is going out of fashion. It will be very private for them, which I guess is what they want. You never know, he might end up playing for Newcastle, they need some help.”

Claire Murray, the manager of the Queen’s Head pub in nearby Great Whittington, said it might help put the area on the map.

She said: “We don’t usually get many footballers coming in here, although quite a few live nearby in Ponteland and Darras Hall.

“If it was Alan Shearer then more people might visit the area, but who knows, it might be good for business, you never know.”

Locals in the Blackbull pub in nearby Matfen said Sol’s move to the North would be a point of conversation.

One said: “It won’t draw people here as there are already lots of famous people living nearby including Steve Cram.

“ Jonny Wilkinson’s parents live in Corbridge and we are used to the likes of Alan Shearer coming here to play at Matfen Hall. But we’ll definitely make him feel welcome.”