Chelsea mascot who humiliated Steven Gerrard went on to play for an ex-Prem star
A former Chelsea mascot who turned famend for a prank he pulled on Steven Gerrard finally turned a Non-League footballer – and performed beneath a former Premier League star.
When Jake Nickless was simply 5 years outdated, he made headlines within the Stamford Bridge tunnel by tricking Gerrard earlier than a significant Premier League conflict between Chelsea and Liverpool, which the Blues received 2-0. Young Nickless, along with his placing blue hair, supplied a handshake to the Liverpool captain.
As Gerrard went for the high-five, Nickless shortly put his thumb on his nostril and wiggled his fingers in a jesting method. Ex-England star and Saudi Pro League supervisor Gerrard since admitted that had a grown-up performed such a trick, he would have “wanted to wring their neck”.
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Yet, he shared it was the solitary second he ever chuckled within the tunnel forward of a match, having rubbed Jake’s hair after the humorous prank. John Terry patted Nickless’s head too, and the video clip exhibits different Chelsea gamers laughing. The well-known video from 2006 has been considered thousands and thousands of occasions on-line within the years since.
But what many followers won’t know is that 24-year-old Nickless later constructed a profession in Non-League soccer, and even gained the admiration of ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara, reviews the Express.
In 2020, Nickless joined Billericay Town, then managed by former Tottenham and Wolves midfielder O’Hara. Sharing the mascot clip on social media, O’Hara praised attacking midfielder Nickless: “He’s a good little player. He’s decent, left-footed and can score a goal.”
What’s your favorite factor you have seen in a soccer tunnel? Let us know within the feedback part.
In a chat with Sky Sports, Nickless mentioned he did not wish to make a fuss about his previous as a result of he did not need an excessive amount of fuss. “I can’t really remember that much about it because I was only five at the time. Looking back I don’t really like to speak about it to be honest and I keep quiet about it really.
“When I noticed Jamie O’Hara tweet about it the opposite day I assumed oh god as a result of then everyone seems to be like, ‘oh you are him, you are him! ‘ It’s a type of issues and it was only a snicker after I was child.
“I can’t believe people still mention it really but it would be nice to make my own name and be remembered for that rather than what happened back then.”
(Image: (Image: Getty))
On the Gerrard incident, he mentioned: “Me and Gerrard actually didn’t speak at all, All I said was ‘Gerrard!’ to get his attention.
“I keep in mind Claude Makelele and Michael Essien laughing because it occurred, and John Terry gave me a pat on the pinnacle afterwards, after I walked again to carry his hand. I believe everybody discovered it humorous…other than Stevie G.”
Nickless performed a few occasions within the National League South for Billericay. It’s not clear if he is nonetheless enjoying Non-League, although following stints with Billericay Town, Harlow Town, and Tilbury FC.
