Pub teams in a local North East league got a shock to the system this season when they lined up to play the Iraq national team……or so they thought!
Lakes United, from Redcar in Cleveland, were a surprise package in the Langbaurgh Sunday League in more ways than one after Club Chairman Lee Addison inadvertently kitted his side out in the Iraq national strip…….complete with the same squad name and number on half the shirts!
And now the side has been given the ultimate recognition - the title of ‘Dodgiest Kit’ in this year’s Carling’s Pub Football Awards.
The Carling Pub Football Awards, a national awards programme now in its second year, celebrates some of the often overlooked sporting triumphs taking place every weekend on pitches across the UK.
Teams, players, managers, referees, and fans up and down the country were asked to nominate their mates for the awards earlier in the year. The Awards were then judged by a sporting panel that included ITV Football Pundit Robbie Earle and Daily Mail Columnist Des Kelly.
Lee, who wins a supply of Carling and a new football kit for his team, said: “I was serving in Iraq for the Army last year and spotted this white football kit, but it had an Iraqi badge on it – so I thought I’d get it as a training kit for the lads. I phoned the club treasurer to ask for the money, bought it, and sent it back to the UK.
“When the lads opened up the package they found 11 shirts, each with the same name and same number (Nashat Akram, 19) on the back. When I got back, we decided to use the strip for matches.
“We’ve had some confused referees during games. Blowing up our number 19 – and seeing all the lads turn around and run towards him!”
Lee, 31, has also taken the honour of Carling Administrator of the Year, for his services to his team. He set up the club 9 years ago – deciding to recreate the side he played for as a junior – Lakes Juniors – with his mates from old. He has remained Lakes United Club Chairman whilst serving in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland, as a member of the Army’s Physical Training Corp.
On receiving his awards he said: “This is great news. I’m keeping it as a surprise from the lads until the start of the season – they will be over the moon. And I’m chuffed to bits with the Administrator Award, it is nice to get a bit of recognition for something I’ve been doing week in week out for the last 9 years.”
The award comes from ‘One – All’ Carling’s online community (www.carling.com/oneall) owned and shaped by pub and amateur football teams across the UK – over 4000 teams have already signed up. Registered teams can create their own free website to keep in touch with the rest of the team, complete player profiles, upload match highlights and debate the issue of the day with other teams.
Robbie Earle, ITV Football Pundit and one of Awards’ judging panel said: “We received nominations from clubs all over the country. It’s great to see Carling giving everyday footballers the recognition they deserve.”
Jim Shearer, Head of Sponsorship Carling, said: “Congratulations to Lee and Lakes United. It’s great to be able to celebrate Lee’s success and hear about his dedication to the lads.
“Pub football is all about getting together with your mates every week and enjoying the game. The awards are the perfect opportunity to reward the teams and individuals who help to keep pub football alive. ”
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