Big Ron's holey socks, Dioufy's new wheels and the Fonz at Everton

By 3pm

Published 20:27 29/11/09

• 

CREDIT CRUNCHED

The downturn continues to strike in the most unexpected places.

Witness El Hadji Diouf, lasted seen in a gold-plated SUV, driving away from Blackburn's bore draw with Stoke on Saturday in a humble 07 Hyundai Coupe.

And Big Ron Atkinson, more orange than ever but seen in the press box at yesterday's Birmingham-Wolves derby with holes in his socks.

HAPPY DAZE

Despite his bizarre appearance at the Merseyside derby, Everton fans should think twice before claiming Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler as a true blue.

Asked why he was attending the match, the actor – starring in Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright's Christmas panto at the city's Empire Theatre – replied honestly: “I've been asked by a man called Bill to go in a box.”

PS: Our reporter David Maddock encountered Winkler in a Goodison Park toilet yesterday. Disappointingly, The Fonz was not beginning to comb his hair in the mirror before shrugging and walking away.

SVEN'S TIED UP IN NOTTS

Former jet-setter Sven Goran Eriksson's exciting new life in Nottingham goes on.

Last week it was turning on the Xmas lights in the company of local DJs Twiggy and Emma, followed by hosting a raffle at top people's store Boots The Chemist.

Next week Svennis can be found hosting a Christmas Fair at Meadow Lane, at which he will be handing out mince pies and goody bags to kids.

NICKNAME OF THE WEEK

Having been dubbed “the only Brazilian who can't play football”, Liverpool's misfit midfielder Lucas Leiva has a new nickname.

Fans are now calling him Lord Lucas – because he disappears for 90 minutes every weekend.

EVERYONE FOR TENNIS

Spotted outside London's O2 last week were a host of chauffeur-driven limos ready to carry the likes of Jermain Defoe, Andriy Arshavin, Carlos Tevez and Jon Obi-Mikel back from the tennis through heavy traffic.

Well done to Watford captain Jay De Merit, who will be at the World Cup with the USA, who sensibly went there and back on the tube.