Gerrard’s Humiliation: Ex-Premier League Star’s Mascot Encounter Before Non-League Career
It’s a moment that has lived on in football infamy. A harmless prank played by a five-year-old boy on Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool legend, has become one of the most iconic moments in the Premier League. The incident took place before a game between Chelsea and Liverpool, and it left Gerrard hanging, quite literally.
The prankster in question was Jake Nickless, a Chelsea-mad youngster with blue hair. As Gerrard approached him for a handshake, Nickless withdrew his hand at the last moment, leaving the football star embarrassed. The entire incident was captured on camera and later immortalized by Sky Sports, becoming one of the earliest viral YouTube football clips.
Surprisingly, Gerrard took the prank with good humor at the time. He even ruffled Nickless’ blue hair in a playful response. However, in his autobiography “My Captains Book,” which was published three years later, Gerrard admitted that if it had been an adult playing the prank, he would have wanted to wring their neck. This incident was the only time he remembers chuckling to himself in a pre-match tunnel, as he preferred approaching games with a stoic and steely-faced determination.
The impact of this prank on the game’s outcome is still unclear. Chelsea went on to win the match 2-0 with goals from William Gallas and Hernan Crespo. Whether Nickless’ prank affected Gerrard’s performance or not remains a mystery.
But here’s where the story takes an interesting turn. Many may not know that Jake Nickless, the young prankster, would eventually have a football career of his own. In 2020, Nickless signed for National League South team Billericay Town, playing under the guidance of former Spurs and Hull midfielder Jamie O’Hara.
O’Hara had seen the potential in Nickless and described him as a “good little player” with a left foot and goal-scoring ability. Interestingly, O’Hara was aware of Nickless’ prankster history and even shared the viral video with his teammates, reminiscing about the moment. While Nickless acknowledged that Gerrard didn’t appreciate the prank, he revealed that Chelsea players, including Claude Makelele and Michael Essien, found it amusing. John Terry even gave him a pat on the head afterward.
In an interview with SportBible, Nickless explained that his father had encouraged him to play the prank. He admitted that he had initially hesitated but in the heat of the moment, with the game being televised and thousands of people watching, he decided to provide some entertainment. And entertain he did, leaving a lasting impression on football fans around the world.
Since signing for Billericay Town, Nickless has made two appearances for the team. He has also had stints with Harlow Town and Tillbury FC in non-league football. However, it remains unclear if he is still actively playing the sport.
The story of Jake Nickless, the young prankster turned footballer, serves as a reminder that even the most unexpected encounters can shape one’s future. While Gerrard may not be rushing to watch Billericay Town play anytime soon, it’s undoubtedly a tale that will continue to bring smiles to football fans everywhere.