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Bradley Stoke Town FC has a new player this season with the perfect name - Bradley Stokes.

Yes that's right, Bradley Stokes.

The 23-year-old graduated from UWE after studying business and marketing, isn’t from the area and it is not a co-incidence he joined Bradley Stoke - he signed up purely because of the name.

(Image: Bristol Live)

On leaving university the centre-half, who works for HL Training Services, decided to find a football club for a hobby.

He said: “I knew there was an area called Bradley Stoke, so I googled it to see if they had a football team because I thought that would be cool.”

There was - Bradley Stoke Town FC, who play in the Bristol and District League senior division.

Bradley called up the team and arranged to watch a reserve game before signing on. When he told the club secretary his name though, they thought it was a joke.

Bradley said: “He thought I was taking the p**s, and asked to see my ID before filling in the signing on forms.”

And there was more laughter when Bradley was introduced to his new teammates in the changing room. He added: “Most of them just started laughing at me to be honest, they couldn’t believe it. I suppose it is a bit weird.”

But since then Bradley has settled in nicely and says they have all been very welcoming.

Manager Jon Welsh, who also thought Bradley joining this specific team was a joke at first, said when he sends the scorers names into league he was expecting them to flag it up, but no-one has questioned it so far.

He added: "Bradley is a great lad and has settled in very well on and off the fiield."

Bradley is of course the first name on the teamsheet each week, whether he is playing or not.

Bradley says he has no regrets on joining the club of his name, and all the players have become his friends. The season has gone well so far, with Bradley scoring five goals from set pieces and the team currently sitting in 4th. He said: “I guess I am just in the right place at the right time .”

With a name like that he most definitely is.

Thankyou to Bradley Stokes Matters magazine for contacting us.

Bristol Live is now on the look-out for more stories similar to Bradley's. Do you know anyone with a name the same as a football club? Is there a Lawrence Weston playing for Lawrence Weston, a Lee Woods playing for Leigh Woods, or even a Cliff Tonne playing for Clifton?

If so email neil.maggs@reachplc.com or tweet @BristolLive