Arsenal hero Paul Merson has football comeback cut short after floodlights fail at new fourth-tier Welsh side Caerau
Gunners hero was subbed off after an impressive 65 minutes with three points in the bag but the lights robbed his new side of a win
PAUL MERSON helped fourth-tier Welsh side Caerau to a 3-2 lead in his football comeback before a blackout ruined his return.
The 49-year-old guided his side to a narrow lead against Pontyclun before faulty floodlights at the Caerau Athletic Ground got the match postponed.
The Sky Sports pundit has agreed to play midweek games for the minnows after striking up a friendship with the club’s secretary Dai Hooper.
The Arsenal hero lasted an impressive 65 minutes – despite his snug shirt suggesting he as not entirely match – before the lighting went.
The ex-England midfielder posed for photos with fans on the pitch after the match but insisted it was not a one-off and vowed to return.
The football-mad playmaker – who has played Sunday league in Middlesex since he hung up his professional boots – said: “I didn't play very well but the team were winning which is the main thing.
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“It's a great crowd — and so far so good, except the floodlights have gone off.
“It's not a one off. I said I'll sign and I'll play midweek.
“I love playing and if I can keep on playing then I will.”
The Gunners icon only managed to make the game as the fixture was rearranged from a weekend slot and his international clearance came through just in time.
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When Hopper initially made the marquee signing, he said: “I texted him last week about the rearranged fixture with Pontyclun and he said 'I can make that'.
“So we're hoping now that the international clearance goes through because obviously he played in England.
“He's looking okay on the box.”