Leo Messi was today named the 'Short Footballer of the Year' in a prestigious ceremony at the Dog and Duck in Cleethorpes.
5 foot 7 inches Messi held off competition in the voting from now retired 5 foot 6 inches Roberto Carlos, 5 foot 5 inches Dean Cox of Leyton Orient and 5 foot 3 inches Ivan De Mello, player-manager at East Sham United.
Friends of Messi sent their congratulations. Ronnie Corbett was taken into hospital overnight after a fall, but still found time to heap praise on his argentine pal.
"He's a giant on the football field. I wouldn't want anyone else on my side" said the clearly tired and emotional Corbett.
Another old friend Star Wars actor and Ricky Gervais associate Warwick Davis told onlookers "What a player - when we were in the Barcelona youth team together he never passed to me, but I don't hold it against him - life's too short. I honestly look up to him and his achievements over the years"
The Short Footballer of The Year Award was devised by former footballing brothers Chris and Craig Short - Chris is the current fitness coach at Leicester City while Craig was recently manager of Notts County.
