A FOOTBALL fan whose parents named him after the entire Burnley football team is threatening to ditch the names in favour of the club's arch rivals.

David Welch, 25, has told his Clarets-mad mum and dad Gillian and Ray that he is considering honouring Blackburn Rovers by being "re-christened" after the Blue and Whites.

The change through deed poll would mean an end to the names Stevenson Ingham Brennan Newton Noble Waldron Thompson Flynn Rodaway Hankin Collins and James - the stars of the First Division side of 1975.

Based on Blackburn's weekend line up, they could be replaced by Kelly McAteer Short Dailly Davidson Dunn Carsley Flitcroft Duff Burgess and Ward.

Gillian, 50, who lives in the Sunnyhurst area of Darwen, said: "It all came to light because of the talk about Burnley being in the play-offs. David has always kept quiet about his unusual name. He had to list it when he joined the Army and I think this is his way of winding us up. I don't know if he will go through with it. It's all a bit of light-hearted fun."

David, who was brought up in Within Grove, Huncoat, is now a lance bombardier with the 47th regiment of the Royal Artillery based in Portsmouth.

He has two children - Charlie, five, and one-year-old Ruby - with his partner Roseanne Jones.

David and his mum are pictured.