Football stag party's five-star treatment

Many a stag party will have kicked off with a trip to the football, but few revellers will have had the opportunity to run out alongside their heroes.

Nevertheless, one lucky fan out to celebrate his final night of freedom was given the chance to meet the players he adored ahead of a vital relegation six-pointer last weekend, the Metro reports.

Staff at Carlisle United might not be able to compete with the Premier League big boys for money, but they showed that hospitality and generosity is still alive and kicking in the beautiful game.

The club allowed a group of Swindon Town fans to dress the unnamed stag in an undersized replica kit, before taking the 31-year-old around the dressing rooms and parading him in front of 6,000 fans, all without asking for a single penny.

"They didn't even complain when the stag turned up just 20 minutes before kick-off carrying more than a whiff of the night before on his breath," the newspaper stated.

Indeed, Carlisle's generosity even seemed to extend onto the pitch when they allowed Swindon to notch a last-minute equaliser, no doubt prompting further celebrations among the revellers.