A STAND-up comedian was ready for a lie-down after a football training session at the Riverside Stadium.

Patrick Monahan joined Middlesbrough Football Club Ladies team on the pitch before he embarks on his new tour.

The former Redcar junior player who sponsors MFC’s winger, Kenzie Parkes, relished the opportunity to play with the team which is flying high in third place in the league, just two points off top spot, and have also just qualified for the third round of the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers.

“I love football, and used to run up and down the wing as fast I could without being tackled," he said.

"But just look at what a great season this lot are having. They will be running rings round me all day long, that’s for sure.”

MFC Ladies manager Sammie Leigh said: “It’s great to have Patrick as one of our fans and sponsors, and we love him to bits too.

“We know he fancies himself as a tricky winger, so let’s see if he’s still got the old magic on the pitch.

As the winner of ITV’s Show Me The Funny in 2011, Mr Monahan will be taking to the stage of Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday, May 17, to perform his Edinburgh Festival hit show, Cake Charmer.