Former England star Peter Crouch hilariously led out non-league side Farnham Town for their game on Saturday as a forfeit for coming bottom of his fantasy league last season.
Throughout his playing career the towering striker has walked out onto some of the most hallowed grounds in all of world football.
This weekend however, Crouch made his return to the pitch in decidedly different surroundings at the 2500 capacity Memorial Ground in Surrey.
Donning the club’s home colours, the former Liverpool and Spurs striker was led out as a mascot for the club’s Southern League Premier Division South clash with fellow promotion-chasers Sholing.
Crouch’s arrival on the pitch was cheered on by his That Peter Crouch podcast co-hosts Chris Stark and former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell.
Sidwell shared a number of clips from the game on his social media, including a hilarious video of Crouch showing off his mascot’s goodybag.
Peter Crouch hilariously appeared as a mascot for non-league Farnham Town on Saturday
The 44-year-old was put out as a forfeit for finishing bottom of his fantasy league alongside podcast co-hosts Steve Sidwell and Chris Stark
Sidwell detailed the forfeit on his Instagram account as Crouch towered over his player
The 44-year-old proudly detailed his loot, including a bag of Haribos, some Maryland cookies and a set of Farnham Town badges.
Led onto pitch by Farnham’s Jack Dean, the 6ft 7in Crouch cut an awkward figure as he completely eclipsed the defender from view when the two teams lined up before kick off.
The fun didn’t end when the action got underway, however.
Crouch also played a central role in the half-time festivities as he tested his mettle as a goalkeeper during a penalty shootout.
In front of a capacity crowd, he also had a chance to win every fan a free drink by hitting the crossbar but narrowly missed from long range.
He also posed for photos with beaming fans who were shocked at the sight of the former Premier League great.
The antics clearly didn’t take Paul Johnson’s side off their game though, as the newly-promoted side secured a 2-2 draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Crouch’s commitment to the forfeit and willingness to put himself in the hilarious situation earned plaudits among fans on social media.
The former England striker was rewarded with a goodybag loaded with sweets for his trouble
Crouch is one of football’s most beloved figures – pictured here with his wife Abbey Clancy in 2023
One wrote: ‘Can’t believe you went through with it, but fair play to you.’
Another added: ‘Cracking afternoon of football ! What a fantastic mascot you were – LOVED you walking out with your player and standing in front of them !
‘Had me and my son howling in the crowd’
A third agreed: ‘Great day today Peter. You definitely put a few hundred on the gate, and you gave the kids a day to remember.’
Crouch netted 108 Premier League goals during a career that saw him win the FA Cup and reach the Champions League final with Liverpool.
He also won 42 England caps between 2005 and 2010 and netted 22 goals for his country, appearing as part of Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
