Geoff Foster becomes the official Sky Blues gnome

[dutchman]

Regular listeners to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire will be familiar with the cheery, and sometimes excitable, tones of Geoff Foster.



He is part of the team that brings you the latest on local sport and is also one of the voices of the Sky Blues.

Geoff has many fans, but would you want to take him home with you?

The man who brings Coventry City matches to your radios each week has now been immortalised as the club's official garden gnome.

'Cover-boy material'

Justin Tose, head of retail at Coventry City Football Club, said: "We went through all the design and proofing of the brochure, but it was only when the final copies arrived at the Ricoh that several people noticed that our gnome looked uncannily like Geoff.

"But it is not only looks they have in common. The gnome - like Geoff of the BBC - has proved popular with fans, has a sunny disposition and always has a smile on his face."

And big Geoff isn't at all put out at being compared to little garden Geoff - in fact, he's thrilled.

He said: "In younger days I was likened to Cary Grant and Steve McQueen - something which I am sure will not surprise people, but I suppose my elfin-like figure, athletic pose and allegiance to the Sky Blues has drawn comparison with the City gnome.

"I always knew deep down I was cover-boy material, and this has proved me right! I have always loved covering the club but play a very small role in every day CCFC life, so while Jimmy Hill deserves his statue I am happy with an eight-inch gnome."

With the Christmas season coming, maybe Geoff could get a part in pantomime - Is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on anywhere?