LOVELY JUBBLY! THESE LADS AREN’T PLONKERS
WHILE The FLP takes a break over the summer, we like to keep an eye on what’s happening at clubs and with players – and we’ve seen a few stories that made us chuckle.
Charlton Athletic grabbed loads of publicity with their ‘sex on the pitch’ stunt last season and the Addicks were at it again over the summer in an attempt to boost ticket sales.
This time, Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson delivered a supporter’s season ticket – dressed as Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses.
The midfielder donned a sheepskin coat and drove the Trotters’ famous threewheeled van to play the part to perfection, with goalkeeper Stephen Henderson taking on the role of gormless Rodney.
Fan Lee Carroll, 16, was the lucky recipient and Jackson said: “It was all worth it to see Lee’s face when we showed up.”
On the pitch, former Nottingham Forest defender Gonzalo Jara almost caused a diplomatic incident with his antics in the Copa America for Chile.
In his side’s quarter-final against Uruguay, the ex-Brighton loanee, who now plays his club football in Germany, was captured on camera poking his finger up the bottom of Uruguayan strik- er Edinson Cavani, who not surprisingly reacted and was sent off. Jara was suspended for the rest of the tournament, but at least had the satisfaction of seeing Chile win their first international trophy by beating Argentina on penalties in the final.
Then there was Football League newboys Barnet failing to turn up for a pre-season friendly at Bedfont & Feltham.
The Bees apologised for the blunder and said they thought the fixture, which would have seen their development side take on the Combined Counties Division One club, had been cancelled. Instead, Bedfont & Feltham played a match between themselves that ended 4-4.
Fortunately, the Non-League club’s chairman Brian Barry saw the funny side of it.
“People ask how we’re shaping up for the season and I can now officially say we can’t even beat ourselves,” he joked.
Meanwhile, Bolton fans may be wondering how their team is going to fare this season – after they were held to a draw by a team managed by an 11-yearold!
Young Daniel Fryer took charge of AFC Fylde, usually bossed by former Tranmere long throw specialist Dave Challinor, for their friendly against the Trotters and guided the National League North side to a 1-1 draw. A fellow Fylde supporter won the chance to be boss for the night but passed the opportunity on to Daniel.
“It’s really inspired me and I really want to be a footballer – even more than I did before,” he said.