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.Furious fans plan to stage protests at what they see as an inappropriate and embarrassing project from the club's owner.We look back at five other owners who have brought down mockery on the heads of their dismayed fans. Off the wall: Fulham will unveil a statue outside Craven Cottage of late great pop idol Michael Jackson this SundayKen RichardsonDoncaster Rovers were horrified when a fire broke out at Belle Vue in 1996, causing ?100,000-worth of damage to their main stand. 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. 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.George Reynolds Ex-convict turned multi-millionaire Reynolds turned up at Darlington in 1999 with grand promises of hitherto-unknown glory for the club. 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. Thumbs up: But Faustino Asprillia gave Darlington the thumbs down after owner George Reynolds' infamously paraded him as the club's new star signingHe 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. 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.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. 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'. After widespread pressure, the Czech gradually gave up on the astoundingly unpopular idea.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. 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. 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.VIDEO: Delia's amazing 12th man plea.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. He then appeared to set his sights on something a little simpler, and bought Carlisle United. 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! 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 Explore more:People: Mohamed Al Fayed, Robert Maxwell Places: Newcastle