A footballer has joined a team with the same name as him.
Bradley Stokes first made contact with Bradley Stoke Town FC, from the 14th tier of English football, in September.
“When Brad first spoke to our Reserve team manager Matt Burch, none of us could believe that was his name,” the team’s social media curator Harry Isaacs told the Press Association. “We had to get him to show us some ID to prove it!”
Meet Bradley Stokes.Who plays for Bradley Stoke Town FC.🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/D4lIK2QdBp — Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) November 8, 2018
The 23-year-old decided to join a team after completing his degree and had heard there was an area called Bradley Stoke in Bristol where he lives.
He searched online to see if they had a team and by coincidence discovered the Bristol and District League club, formed in 2005, is based just 10 minutes from his home.
Bradley now plays as a centre-back for the first team and his arrival at the club has brought with it a remarkable amount of publicity.
“It’s all a bit surreal, one minute I’m talking to the BBC the next talking live on Talksport,” Bradley told the Press Association. “I’m shocked really how much it’s all blown up.”
And then the First Team have a home game at the @GlosFA hq taking on local rivals @patchwaytownfc Reserves. 5:30 kick off and yes @_St0kesy will be in action! Come along and support, Brad may even sign autographs! #packtheTedMarsh #COYH #whataweek @BS_Matters @BradleyStokeFM 🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/AuN5jPxQay — BSTFC (@BSTFC) November 8, 2018
“The publicity has been crazy, our club WhatsApp group has never been busier,” said Harry. “It has been fantastic though and we have to thank our 1st team sponsors Bradley Stoke Matters for their original article – even if we are now getting some stick from other teams!
“On Brad, he’s been a fantastic addition to the first team as a great defender and rather surprisingly he’s scored a fair few goals including a hat-trick a few weeks ago!”
Bradley said despite the special nature of his name he hasn’t been treated any differently to any of the others in his team.
“They’ve made me feel so welcome and yeah we had a laugh at first about the name but they’re great lads and I’ve made some really good mates,” he said.
Bradley next runs out for Bradley Stoke Town on Saturday at 5.30pm against Patchway Town Reserves at the Gloucestershire FA headquarters in Almondsbury.
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