Brazil legend Socrates will make a
suprising comeback to football after signing for English non-league side
Garforth Town.
The 50-year-old midfielder, who retired from the game 14 years ago
having skippered Brazil to two World Cups, will line up for his first
game for the club against Tadcaster Albion on November 20.
Joining Socrates in the team will be former Manchester United man Lee
Sharpe, who has also recently signed for the club.
According to the club website garforthtown.com, "the lure of a spell in
the Northern Counties East League has proved too much for the
50-year-old (Socrates)."
However Socrates, a doctor by profession, will have to get back to
football basics.
Having played in front of 200,000 people at the legendary Maracana
stadium in Rio, he will have to get used to playing with electricians
and plumbers - and in front of a capacity 3000 crowd.
The West Yorkshire club, which is based in a mining village, have signed
Socrates initially on a one-month deal.
Garforth owner and manager Simon Clifford said he assured Socrates'
services because he has a string of contacts in Brazil through his
Socatots coaching schools.
Clifford, 33, said: "It is a fantastic coup. Our fans will be pinching
themselves when they see Socrates running out." |