In most instances, people charged with “pitch encroachment” only get a few frenzied moments of glory before security guards pummel them to the ground. Simon Brodkin raised the bar to a whole new level.
Brodkin, a 35-year-old British comedian and star of BBC’s Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People, outfitted himself in complete Manchester City warmup garb and managed to talk his way around security guards prior to City’s Premier League game against Everton on Saturday.
Sporting a very chic and very believable soccer player’s haircut — complete with translucent highlights and a dapper stubble — Brodkin, posing as a fictional character creation named “Jason Bent,” lined up alongside such City stars as Joe Hart and Gareth Barry, who looked on at the stranger with puzzled expressions.
Brodkin was able to get in some stretching and a quick jog before security guards were alerted by the befuddled City players and coaches. Security promptly escorted Brodkin off the field, and he was later arrested and charged with pitch encroachment under the Football Offences Act.
“Simon was meeting fans on the street and having pictures taken as his football character Jason Bent for his Facebook fan page,” Brodkin’s spokesperson said. “He was then going to see the game as he’s a big Man City fan and I think the prankster in him couldn’t resist it.”
As Brodkin was being helped off the field, he was heard screaming, “my agent told me I’d signed with City. Come on, let me play the first 10 minutes, I’ve got 50 grand on me to score first.”
Though field invasions are seldom condoned, it’s hard to not be impressed by the thoroughness and execution of Brodkin’s epic prank.
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