by Patrick Gearey

He’s scored in a Champions League final, played 51 times for England and is a top TV pundit.

But this season Teddy Sheringham will be turning out for Kent League side Beckenham Town.

Town chairman Chris McCarthy has pulled off something of a transfer coup in persuading the 43-year-old to join the club for their FA Vase games and he’s finally secured the striker’s services after trying to get him for some time.

Teddy, who famously scored late for Manchester United in their Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Barcelona’s Nou Camp, is expected to run out for his new club at Eden Park Avenue against the mighty Banstead Athletic of the Combined Counties league.

Mr McCarthy is a friend of the former England frontman and says the signing is brilliant news.

“The idea is to maybe get a few people through the turnstiles. It raises the profile of the club and the FA Vase.

“It is great for everyone. It is the first time it has ever happened. Will it ever happen again? For someone who is a legend to commit himself to playing Kent League standard football is amazing.”

But the ITV pundit is no big-time Charlie. His parents are expected to come along to watch him and he rang up the club during their half-time interval in the FA Vase against Wealden to find out the latest score.