Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham's Michael Jackson statue is not football's first farcical act - Friday Five
Mohamed Al Fayed will watch on proudly as the grand unveiling of Fulham's controversial Michael Jackson statue takes place on Sunday before their match with Blackpool.[LNB]Furious fans plan to stage protests at what they see as an inappropriate and embarrassing project from the club's owner.[LNB]We look back at five other owners who have brought down mockery on the heads of their dismayed fans.[LNB] Off the wall: Fulham will unveil a statue outside Craven Cottage of late great pop idol Michael Jackson this Sunday[LNB]Ken RichardsonDoncaster Rovers were horrified when a fire broke out at Belle Vue in 1996, causing ?100,000-worth of damage to their main stand. [LNB]But things got worse when they discovered that 'dodgy' owner Richardson had hired a few men to commit arson, so he could collect the insurance money. [LNB]It didn't quite work out as planned, however, with one of the hapless criminals (an ex-SAS man) tracked down after leaving his phone at the scene.[LNB]George Reynolds Ex-convict turned multi-millionaire Reynolds turned up at Darlington in 1999 with grand promises of hitherto-unknown glory for the club.[LNB] Reynolds infamously paraded ex-Newcastle favourite Faustino Asprilla in front of 5,163 supporters, announcing him as the club's big blockbuster signing. The Colombian quickly knocked him down, however, denying a deal had been made.[LNB] Thumbs up: But Faustino Asprillia gave Darlington the thumbs down after owner George Reynolds' infamously paraded him as the club's new star signing[LNB]He also set to work building a ?20m, 25,000-capacity stadium, confident that Darlington would soon progress far beyond their usual gate of around 4,000. [LNB]That didn't quite happen, however, and in 2004 he left the debt-ridden club for good - shortly before being done for tax evasion, when ?500,000 was found in the boot of his car.[LNB]Robert Maxwell The notorious media mogul was another owner to dream up a hare-brained scheme, formulating the highly questionable plan of merging an ailing Oxford United with nearby Reading. [LNB]The name of the proposed super-club - surely the icing on the cake - was to be Thames Valley Royals. The fans were livid, staging a protest before a match with Wigan, which Maxwell called 'a bloody disgrace'. [LNB]After widespread pressure, the Czech gradually gave up on the astoundingly unpopular idea.[LNB]Delia Smith'Where are you? Where are you?!' It was a bit of a surprise when Delia - better known for her knowledge of meatballs than of football - arrived at Norwich City. [LNB]She proceeded to revamp her image even further with a slurring rant at the bewildered crowd at half time during the club's 3-2 defeat by Manchester City in 2005. [LNB]Staggering slightly, it seemed the wholesome chef's goose was well and truly cooked as she screamed: 'We need a 12th man! Where are you?' Classic.[LNB]VIDEO: Delia's amazing 12th man plea...[LNB]Michael KnightonMaverick businessman Knighton promised to bring back the glory years at Manchester United in 1989 - until doubts were raised over whether he could afford it. [LNB]He then appeared to set his sights on something a little simpler, and bought Carlisle United. [LNB]But the chairman undid all that good work in 1996, and assured his lasting status as an object of ridicule, by telling the world about his greatest vision - he had seen a UFO![LNB] Absolutely Wacko! Fulham players ordered to do Moonwalk celebrationJacko statue is not Wacko! Hughes defends Fulham's controversial plansHolloway backs Fulham's plans to erect a statue of 'icon' Michael Jackson 'Bad' idea or Thriller for Fulham? Club announce plans for Jacko statue [LNB] Explore more:People: Mohamed Al Fayed, Robert Maxwell Places: Newcastle
