New signing unveilings are far more enjoyable when something doesn’t go to plan.
It really should be a blunder-free process. Fans just want to see their club scarf being waved around and a happy grin from the new man at the club.
But everyone will remember Aaron Lennon’s now-infamous photoshoot when he joined Everton from Tottenham on loan a few seasons back.
Aaron Lennon couldn't look more miserable if he tried, a look of a man who just received a death sentence. pic.twitter.com/5lH0OY6kQg
— Kevin Madden (@_kevinmadden) February 4, 2015
Another personal favourite of ours was poor old Roberto Soldado, who moved to Villarreal from Spurs are failing to rediscover the goalscoring form that made him such a hot property in Spain. He had the occasional moment at White Hart Lane, but most of the time the troubled Spaniard couldn’t hit a barn door.
Then this happened after a return to La Liga.
FAIL: Roberto Soldado trying to hit the ball into the crowd during his Villarreal unveiling. pic.twitter.com/20ij9MKr3t
— pl out of context (@unluckyfootie) August 18, 2015
But Notts County may have set a new bar for unveiling fails this week, after the club photographer managed to miss a small but extremely important detail when framing a shot of loan signing Vadaine Oliver, who arrived at the League Two club from York City.
It wasn’t that the 24-year-old striker looked unhappy to be at Meadow Lane. No Aaron Lennon-esque scowl to be seen here. Nor did he somehow mis-kick a ball meant for the adoring fans onto the roof.
In fact, Vadaine Oliver did his job just fine. Take a look at the photo.
https://twitter.com/KeirNFFC/status/760579854165237760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
We’re not going to spell out what’s happened here, as it’s probably already clear, but if you’re sat there scratching your head about why this picture constitutes a head-in-hands balls-up for County, have a look at the background.
The words “Notts County” are painted across the seats in the 20,000-capacity stadium and the photographer has asked Oliver to stand in front of the first “O”.
Big mistake.