The footballing world, and specifically a bloke called Kev, was stunned last night by the takeover of East Pudd Utd by last minute bidder Jim Smith, a crisps magnate who was born just two minutes from the team's home ground in Puddington.
The controversial appointment of the life-long supporter of the club means that an astonishing quarter of teams in the Pot Noodle league are now owned by English companies or individuals. These include the Chingford Bangers who are jointly owned by Prince Charles and the Chuckle Brothers and Rustford Albion, who were last month taken over by salad tosser Jamie Oliver.
One supporter, who refused to be named Jeff, said, "I think it's disgusting. This club has a long history of being owned by Russian Mafiosi, Arab arms dealers and Egyptian conspiracy theorists. This Englishman, with his local knowledge and long association with the club will ruin everything. And don't call me Jeff."
Smith has already hinted at several hair-brained projects which may incense supporters, such as reverting the name of the stadium from the 'Curly Wurly Arena' back to the, frankly ludicrous, 'Pudd Park'. Other such schemes include bulldozing the popular roller-bingo hall and hypermarket to rebuild the car park and away stand plus scrapping the sandwich boards which players have historically sported during home matches.
Ken Livingstone, who doesn't support the club but likes to have his say, commented, "It's the beginning of the end. This man, Smith, knows nothing. He doesn't even call it soccer".
