LONDON, August 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Manchester United and Chelsea may have missed out on their transfer targets, but the same cannot be said of Farnborough FC, who today unveiled Lionel Messi, Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer as part of their line up!
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/634192 )
In a world football first by bookmaker Paddy Power, every player in the first team squad of Farnborough FC has changed their name by deed poll to that of a legendary footballer in their respective position - meaning the most star-studded team ever assembled will face Chelmsford City this Saturday.
The yellow kit of Hampshire's finest will be adorned with all-time great names like Gascoigne, Best, Pelé, Banks and Beckenbauer. Additionally the manager has become the 'Special One' by changing his name to Chelsea's José Mourinho
The partnership came just in time for 'Boro'. Having been trapped in administration since April, the club's future looked more precarious. The deal sees Paddy Power become title sponsors of the club, which will include kit branding and stadium sponsorship.
José Mourinho of Farnborough FC said:
"Over the summer it looked touch and go whether we'd even start the season, but now we've got by far the greatest team the world has ever seen."
Paddy Power added: "Not only does our support help secure the future of a great club but, in the modern world of sky-high money for season tickets, fans can forget the Nou Camp and now need only to travel to Paddy Power Park to see some of the world's greatest in action."
Previous Name Legend Name Position
Kevin Ainsley SCRIVEN Gordon BANKS Goalkeeper
Oliver George TREACHER Silva Rocha ROBERTO
CARLOS Defender
Joshua Adam HUGGINS Lothar MATTHAÜS Defender
Adam Hugh DOYLE Paolo MALDINI Defender
Alan Francis INNS Alan HANSEN Defender
Paul Jinnah MASSAQUOI Marcos Evangelista de
Moraes CAFU Defender
Nathan KOO-BOOTHE Bobby MOORE Defender
Thomas Andrew McGARRY Franz BECKENBAUER Defender
Reece Nicholas JONES George BEST Midfield
Stephen Thomas LAIDLER Paul GASCOIGNE Midfield
Scott Paul DONNELLY David BECKHAM Midfield
Merrick Anthony
JAMES-LEWIS Zinedine ZIDANE Midfield
Tyrone Michael Justin
BERRY Johann CRUYFF Midfield
Daniel BENNETT Lionel MESSI Striker
Reece William CONNOLLY Gary LINEKER Striker
David Charles TARPEY Diego MARADONA Striker
Edson Arantes do
Elvis Zark HAMMOND Nascimento PELÉ Striker
Spencer DAY José MOURINHO Manager
Leigh James Thomas
DYNAN Paddy POWER Assistant Manager
Simon John GARDENER Sir Alex Fergurson First-Team Coach
Roger Leslie PEIRCE Terry Venables Kit Man
Contact:
Greg Double, +44-(0)2076936999
SOURCEPaddy Power
