April Fools’ Day, the prankster’s Christmas, is upon us – and once again we’ve seen the usual smatterings of bad jokes and toothpaste-filled Oreos doing the rounds on social media.
Waking up on April 1st, it feels like you’ve got to be on red alert to avoid being duped by a scheming loved one or an errant press released from a globally-renowned company trying to hedge their bets in the battle for marketing supremacy.
But sometimes it’s hard to separate the seriously ridiculous from the ridiculously serious, especially when it comes to the reams and reams of off-the-cuff nonsense that some of the nation’s most recognisable football pundits spew out on the regular.
Granted, none of these wild assertions are necessarily jokes, but you’d be forgiven for thinking they are.
In-keeping with the spirit of the day, here are 10 bizarre punditry moments that could have been April Fools’ Day pranks...
1. Rio Ferdinand - Toon fans should buy club
A very recent one, this. Ferdinand drew widespread ire from Newcastle United supporters when he suggested that if they were as sick of controversial owner Mike Ashley as they claimed to be, they should simply club together to buy the club from him. Side-splittingly ridiculous. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool
2. Adrian Durham - Sheffield United aren't taking the Premier League seriously
In fairness to Durham, if he'd made this argument at any point over the past few months, nobody would have batted an eyelid. But he didn't, and instead went on a scything rant prior to the 2019/20 campaign about how the Blades weren't good enough to survive in the top flight, arguing that they were relying on 'sentimental bull' to claw their way to 17th. They ended up finishing ninth, 20 points clear of the drop zone. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths
3. Richard Keys - Bielsa has to go
What should you do if you're a newly-promoted side who have managed to secure one of the pre-eminent thinkers in global football to mastermind your long-awaited return to the top table of domestic football, all while employing a brand of play that has not only endeared itself hugely to the fanbase but has also won over legions of adoring neutrals? Get rid of him, according to Richard Keys. The BeIn Sports presenter argued in January that Leeds United would never be more than a mid-table side under Marcelo Bielsa because - and say it with me, everybody - they get tired in the second half of the season as a result of the Argentine's intensive training methods, and therefore, they should think about replacing him. Good one, Richard. (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool
4. Alan Hansen - You can't win anything with kids
A massively infamous comment from the former Liverpool man, Hansen professed without a moment's hesitation at the beginning of the 1995/96 season that Manchester United were set to be in for a tough ride because 'You can't win anything with kids'. Turns out you can though, and United won a double that year with a side including the likes of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, and the Neville brothers. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images For PokerStars) Photo: Ian Gavan