By Chris Wright

After a generous injection of cash from their new principal sponsors, Conference South side Farnborough FC will be able to field an almighty side this season, thanks to the club registering the likes of Zidane, Cruyff, Cafu, Messi and Maradona over the off-season.

Farnborough were able to tempt banterrific bookmakers Paddy Power into sponsoring the club for 2013/14 on the basis that their entire first-team squad legally change their names via deed poll to those of famous footballers. Paddy Power agreed and funded the whole thing, paying £75-a-pop for each player to legally assume a new identity.

As a result, Farnborough will be managed by Jose Mourinho (formerly known as Spencer Day), will play at the Paddy Power Park stadium and will be able to select from a squad which now includes Paul Gascoigne, Zinedine Zidane, Gordon Banks, Johan Cruyff, George Best, Lionel Messi, Bobby Moore, Cafu, David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, Franz Beckenbauer, Roberto Carlos, Pele and Diego Maradona.

Meanwhile, first-team training duties will be picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson (yes, the knighthood has been added by deed poll as a first name) and the kit man will be none other than Terry Venables.

(Images: Paddy Power)