Football: Cheek and a tenner land Sir Stanley

The heavyweights of the Premiership were yesterday beaten to the signature of one of the biggest names in football by a non-League club from Somerset.

While millions are being spent on Collymore, Ferdinand, Gascoigne and Platt, Clevedon Town landed Sir Stanley Matthews for pounds 10.

The 80-year-old former England wing wizard will play 15 minutes for the Beazer Homes League club in a friendly against Bristol City at the Hand Stadium (admission free) on 30 July.

Clevedon's manager, Steve Fey, met Sir Stanley when he spoke at a dinner and - faster than Kevin Keegan opening his chequebook - snapped up the legend of the 1953 Cup final.

"It was a bit cheeky but as a joke I asked him if he would consider signing," Fey said. "I asked him what he had earned in the 1953 FA Cup final and he told me pounds 4 18 shillings. . . I got him for a tenner."

Ball's pounds 2m signing, page 27