A Barnsley season ticket holder missed this afternoon’s game against Norwich to meet Labour party leader Ed Miliband.

“This takes priority”, said Victor Dickinson, 71, of Northgate, Barnsley, who was invited to a gathering at Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall with the Labour leader and the candidate for Barnsley Central, former soldier Dan Jarvis.

“We’ve supported Labour all our lives. Dan Jarvis came to see us the other day. He’s the first one in all these years who’s actually come to see us. Then they rang us up last night asking if we wanted to come and meet the leader. I couldn’t believe it.”

Wife Mary, 68, said: “I can’t wait for next time I want some decorating done and there’s a football match on. I don’t know how he’ll get out of it now.”

The party leader said he had met a variety of voters before heading to Mapplewell. He told the Chronicle he felt a lot of ‘warmth’ when he met people in the town centre. He said: “I got a real sense of support for Dan as we walked around the town.”

But he said it was the ‘philosophy of his leadership’ not to take any votes for granted and that Labour was fighting for every vote in Barnsley. He added: “I’m proud of all my MPs but I will be particularly proud of Dan Jarvis if he is elected our member of parliament for Barnsley Central. He is someone who has fought for our country and demonstrated outstanding bravery. This is someone who will really stand up for this town.”