Naked football game goes global

A MAN seen by thousands around the world playing a naked game of football said yesterday it was "just a bit of fun".

Matthew Wintle of Port Talbot joined with five friends to kick a ball around Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town FC's Remax Stadium.

Mr Wintle said the naked antics began after they had been out in Swansea celebrating an 18th birthday.

The impromptu match was filmed by one of their friends.

At first they sent the 47-second clip to a TV programme but it was turned down.

So the footage was sent in to the US-based YouTube website, the same site that showed a film of two schoolgirls from Llanishen, Cardiff, fighting.

The film was on the site for days and was watched by internet viewers all over the world until it was removed.

Port Talbot Town had no idea the film had been made.

"We did it for a laugh," Mr Wintle said. "We had been celebrating a birthday in Swansea on a Friday night and after staying up playing cards decided it would be a good idea because the house we were in is near the field at Victoria Road, Aberavon [in Port Talbot]."

All six involved in the nude match had played for Port Talbot Town's youth team, which was disbanded at the end of last season.

The players, naked apart from boots and socks, were seen doing cartwheels after scoring goals.


Sep 23 2006

Robin Turner, Western Mail

I wish I'd seen these guys performing on the pitch for the camera....