Sick trolls have made me drop my council bid
INSPIRATIONAL Skelmersdale man Carl Eaton has withdrawn from the local elections after online attack from cruel “trolls”.
Carl, the manager and founder of Skem MenAces disabled football club, intended to stand as an independent councillor for the Moorside ward.
But he has now withdrawn from the election because of the abuse.
Carl, who was born with spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, said: “My Facebook and Twitter accounts have been subjected to very personal abuse by trolls.
“I can handle anyone’s political views against mine but when it turns abusive, and even brings my disability into question, then frankly I find the whole thing vile, disgusting and very upsetting.
“My wife has also had many calls over the weekend with no one on the other end.”
According to Carl, this isn’t the first time he has been subject to abuse online.
He added: “I remember several years ago when I was awarded the Points of Light award from the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, I was also subjected to abuse.”
Carl is very active and popular within the Skelmersdale community and established the Skem Men-Aces in 2009.
The team of more than 50 people have won many awards, including the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Carl also often leads petitions to make changes in the community.
The most recent gathered more than 23,000 signatures in an attempt to save the 3G football pitch next to the former Glenburn Sports College for the use of the local community.
It was this that encouraged him to run in the elections.
Carl, who was also awarded Freedom of the Borough last year, said: “All my adult life I have supported and helped those less fortunate than myself and have certainly fought the corner of the underdog.
“I have achieved so much without becoming a councillor, and have gained the respect of a community that I love and will continue to support.
“Sometimes in life things don’t turn out the way you planned but I’m also a firm believer that things happen for a reason.”
He described the online abuse as “atrocious, repulsive and repugnant comments”.
He added: “I can’t pretend that I’m not hurt, but believe me, I will bounce back and trust me when I tell you that the best is yet to come. To all those that have supported me, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”