FOOTBALL captain Paul Geddes had his team-mates fired up for a crucial cup tie and was confident of getting through to the next round.

But with minutes until kick-off, and no sign of the opposition, it soon dawned on him that all their efforts were in vain.

The hapless skipper had to admit that the challengers were not going to show when he realised they had not been drawn against a team called “Abye” after all.

In fact, they had been given “a bye” to the next round.

“It will take a while to live that one down,” said the 36- year-old. “I went home with my tail between my legs that night.”

The five-a-side Hurworth Albion team play in the Thursday night Maidendale league and are top of the table after an unbeaten start to the season.

When the draw for the first round of the cup was announced by organiser Martin Landers, Mr Geddes fancied his team’s chances against opponents he had never heard of.

But he only realised they had been given a week off because the tournament was a team short once his squad had gathered pitch-side.

“I’d looked at the fixture list really quickly, and texted the lads to let them know we had a game,” said Paul.

“We turned up at 8.30pm and there was no one there.

“I managed to find Martin and he asked what we were doing there. When I told him we had a cup tie, he looked a bit confused and asked who we were playing. I realised what had happened as soon as I opened my mouth and everyone fell about laughing.”

League chief Mr Landers said: “As soon as he said the name out loud he realised what he had done.

“His next words were ‘Oh God, the lads are going to kill me’.”

News of the match that never was spread through the local football community, and Mr Geddes took a ribbing for the gaffe when he turned up to play for his Sunday league team, Horden WMC.

“It’s gone around like a wildfire,” he said.

“Even the opposition players knew, so they were goading me a bit, asking how the game went and stuff.

“The lads think I’m a bit of a plonker now.”