ENGLAND hero Peter Crouch hilariously led out non-league Farnham Town on Saturday afternoon after finishing bottom of his fantasy football league.
Crouch, 44, is used to being on the other side of a matchday walkout, but got a glimpse of what it is like to be a mascot in the fantasy forfeit.
Former England striker Peter Crouch was a matchday mascot for non-league side Farnham Town[/caption]
Crouch came out holding hands with the Farnham player who led him on the pitch[/caption]
Crouch joined the other mascots as the team walked out[/caption]
Crouch was made to be a mascot as a fantasy football punishment set by his That Peter Crouch Podcast co-hosts Chris Stark and Steve Sidwell[/caption]
The ex-Liverpool star’s height proved a problem when he stood in front of his assigned player[/caption]
The 42-time England international was dished out the punishment by his That Peter Crouch Podcast co-hosts, radio host Chris Stark and fellow retired pro Steve Sidwell.
Crouchy was given the “full mascot matchday experience” by Farnham chiefs for their Southern League Premier Division South clash with Sholing.
That meant the ex-Liverpool and Stoke ace was made to take part in pre-match player meet and greets, a half-time show and a dinner with the other mascots.
While he also got to walk out with the players, an unusual sight given his 6ft 7in frame.
And he even donned the full Farnham kit to fit in with the rest of the mascots.
Crouch’s height proved a problem when he stood in front of his player pre-kick off, blocking his view of the fans.
Supporters and players are used to see young kids living out their dream of meeting their heroes as matchday mascots and were in for a shock when they saw Crouch at the Memorial Ground in Farnham.
Usually the mascot is asking the players for autographs, but in Crouch’s case it was the crowd trying to get him to sign their shirts and grab a selfie when he walked out on the pitch.
Crouch stopped to sign autographs for fans[/caption]
The retired striker popped into the stands to say hello to supporters[/caption]
Crouch posed for a picture with the other mascots[/caption]
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Crouch, who scored 106 Premier League goals during his playing days, even had time for a group picture with all the other mascots before kick off.
While he took part in a half-time penalty shootout and even busted out his famous robot celebration.
Fans were loving the forfeit and singing Crouch’s praises for throwing himself into the situation and stopping for pictures.
On social media, one wrote: “Love this!”
While another added: “Bloody brilliant.”
A third posted: “What a top bloke.”
And a fourth joked: “Who’s the mascot, and who’s the player.”
Crouch even went as far as holding hands with the Farnham player that he walked out with to commit to the joke.
While he showed off his mascot’s dinner which included a Coke Zero, a bag of Haribo and some Maryland cookies.
Farnham fans will have been wishing that Crouch was playing instead of coming out as a mascot, after their side lacked the winning finish in a 2-2 draw with title rivals Sholing.
Crouch took part in a half-time show[/caption]
He went in goal for some penalties[/caption]
The star even pulled out his famous robot celebration[/caption]