'Dr Churchill' In Cup Name Switch
Published: 11th June 2010
A passionate England supporter has got into the World Cup spirit by changing his name by deed poll to "Dr England Three Lions Churchill".
Christopher Alderslade, 19, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, made the application just in time to have his new moniker made official before the start of the tournament in South Africa.
Having paid £21 for the name change, he is now looking forward to cheering on Fabio Capello's team when they start their World Cup campaign against the USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.
He said: "I was egged on by my mates in the pub after I started doing lots of different things to get into the World Cup spirit. I wanted to do something English each day so I began getting my face painted, then I bought a hat and then someone said, 'Why don't you change your name?'
"I was sitting in the pub with my colleagues, just around the corner from work, and the landlord said if I'd do it then she would pay for it. We then started coming up with names. It obviously had to be something very English and I also wanted to get the three lions in somehow.
"Then someone talked about Winston Churchill so we thought we'd better give him a mention, and when I found out for an extra £9 you can become a doctor, I did that as well."
Dr Churchill hopes his new name, made official by the Legal Deed Poll Service (LDPS), will bring the England team good luck in the tournament.
"I haven't told my parents yet though, they'll get a shock when they see it in the paper," he said.
Last year the LDPS changed the names of two Big Brother housemates, Freddie Fisher and Sophie Reade, to Halfwit and Dogface respectively.
LDPS chief executive Jamie Jackson said: "World Cup fever has gripped the nation and we were delighted to help Chris with his fun name change. It's a great idea and a really unusual way to get right behind the England team. It shows great commitment from Chris. We get a lot of crazy name changes, but Chris is the first really to show his dedication to the England team in such a positive way.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/offbeat/dr-churchill-in-cup-name-switch-14839744.html