DODGIEST KIT AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

LAKES UNITED - DOUBLE AWARD WINNERS 2008

Pub teams in a local North East league got a shock to the system this season when they lined up to play the Iraq national team - or so they thought! Lakes United, from Redcar in Cleveland, were a surprise package in the Langbaurgh Sunday League in more ways than one after Club Chairman Lee Addison inadvertently kitted his side out in the Iraq national strip - complete with the same squad name and number on half the shirts!

And now the side has been given the ultimate recognition - the title of 'Dodgiest Kit' Winners in this year's Carling Pub Football Awards.

Lee, who wins a supply of Carling and a new football kit for his team, said: "I was serving in Iraq for the Army last year and spotted this white football kit, but it had an Iraqi badge on it so I thought I'd get it as a training kit for the lads. I phoned the club treasurer to ask for the money, bought it, and sent it back to the UK. When the lads opened up the package they found 11 shirts, each with the same name and same number (Nashat Akram, 19) on the back. When I got back, we decided to use the strip for matches. We've had some confused referees during games - blowing up for 'number 19' and seeing all the lads turn around and run towards him!"

Lee, 31, has also taken the honour of Carling Administrator of the Year, for his services to his team. He set up the club 9 years ago - deciding to recreate the side he played for as a junior - Lakes Juniors - with his mates from old. He has remained Lakes United club chairman whilst serving in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland, as a member of the Army's Physical Training Corp.

On receiving his awards he said: "This is great news. I'm chuffed to bits, especially with the Administrator Award; it is nice to get a bit of recognition for something I've been doing week-in week-out for the last 9 years."

Back to the list of Carling Pub Football Awards winners 2008.