Messi ''signs'' for Farnborough

[Raymondo316]

www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/229595.html
www.notabadname.org.uk/index.php?t=msg&th=2555&start=0&
www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rlsd01

Non-league Farnborough have pulled off a pre-season coup the likes of which David Moyes and Arsene Wenger can only dream of as they prepare to field Lionel Messi, Franz Beckenbauer and Pele.

Every player in the Farnborough squad has changed his name by deed poll to that of a legend who plays or played in their position - though one has chosen John Terry.

As a result, Jose Mourinho - the manager followed suit - can select a midfield featuring George Best, Paul Gascoigne, Zinedine Zidane and Johan Cruyff. The first team will be coached by Sir Alex Ferguson, while the club kit man is now Terry Venables.

Farnborough have asked for clearance from the Conference South to add the players' names to the backs of their shirts, the dream-child of their new sponsor. In the interests of impartiality the sponsor cannot be named, but assistant manager Paddy Power is all too aware who is behind the stunt, which has landed the club a six-figure sum.

Surely the conference wont ok this stupid idea

Feel sorry for the Farnborough fans there club seems to be a never ending laughing stock

[daveu]

If the players have really legally changed their names by deed poll I don't really see what the conference or indeed the FA can do about it. However my gut reaction is that it is a cheap (and rather naff) publicity stunt by the club, and in all they have really achieved is to make themselves a laughing stock.

[Raymondo316]

Looks like the Conference are actually allowing this idea



www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2013/08/paddy-power-named-as-new-kit-stadium-sponsor/
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/farnborough-fc-field-messi-beckham-2160943

[jt]

If they change them by deed poll, then there's nothing that can be done.
The fact that they would then have to change all ID, driving licences, passports and bank accounts etc I very much doubt that they have done.
I have a sneaky feeling that this may be the only time they are on there.

[Deleted]

I thought the conference teams had to start with numbers 1 to 11? That's their only stipulation, although could be costly keep having to print different names etc (if true)

[daveu]

Farnborough have finally been granted membership of the conference. One of the conditions was that they shelve this ridiculous idea.

[Deleted]

The Paddy Power article is pathetic.
They seem to know about as many player names as a StonesLive commentator. Maradonna and Mardona are two such examples

Glad my home town of 2 years are seemingly safe though

[islandstone]

Aug 13, 2013 17:17:40 GMT Raymondo316 said:

Looks like the Conference are actually allowing this idea



www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2013/08/paddy-power-named-as-new-kit-stadium-sponsor/
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/farnborough-fc-field-messi-beckham-2160943

what a bunch of arses

[nws]

Sept 5, 2013 20:12:40 GMT @hantstone said:

The Paddy Power article is pathetic.
They seem to know about as many player names as a StonesLive commentator.

I know lots of player names. It's just that they just don't usually correspond to the game I am watching at the time.

[islandstone]

Anyone know the latest and greatest with Farnborough?