Footballers incur the wrath of a local humbug

As some of you will know, some malingering runt went and complained about our Buff Butlers video. In the two months it was up it had something like 17000 downloads on Youtube which therefore translates as being reasonably popular. We will find another place for it in due course.

In the meantime here's a story about another whinger who objected to seeing the local football team changing into and out of their strip outdoors. There really are some folk around who'll do anything to ruin another's enjoyment.
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Naked village footballers torn off a strip


Coun Sue Robinson and spectator Paula Cooper, right, get an eyeful as members of the Skelton football team change into their kit
FOR the last 50 years it has been one of the only good reasons for the ladies of Skelton to get up on a Sunday morning to cheer on the village football team.

The sight of muddy semi-naked players getting changed in the street is accepted as part of village life - because Skelton FC does not have any changing rooms. But they could now be warned to mind their tackles in future after a woman complained to the parish council about spotting "naked men" outside her kitchen window.

Councillors hope it will spur on the drive to get proper changing facilities installed at the pitch, off Brecksfield, Skelton, near York, which is leased off City of York Council.

"The lads have been changing on the streets for the last 50 years," said parish councillor Sue Robinson.

"As far as I know they only go down to their underpants. A lady complained to our clerk that she had looked out of her window and seen naked men, but I'm sure she must be mistaken.

"I think it's hilarious. I know a lady in her 80s who told me this week that she was coming down to camp there to get a better view!"

Club secretary Scott Birkley, of Brecksfield, Skelton, said the street was the only place they could get changed.

"Obviously it's not ideal, but what can we do?" he said. "If it has been wet and muddy sometimes we might whip our underpants off, but we are very discreet and don't go round dancing in the street."

Coun Robinson said the council had recently agreed to give them a 20-year lease on the pitch which will enable them to get changing rooms built. They need to raise at least £60,000 to do so.

She said: "We desperately need them because we have girls teams starting soon and we don't want them getting changed in the street.

"We should build some viewing platforms so we can charge people to come and watch the lads change!"

York Press.
4:15pm Monday 30th October 2006