The 23-stone Sutton reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw has stolen all the headlines following non-league Sutton’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last night in the FA Cup after he ate a pie on the bench.
The 46-year-old tucked into the pie after his manager Paul Dowell had made all three substitutes in what many suspect to be a PR stunt after a betting company offered odds of 8/1 for him to be caught on camera eating a pie.
Therefore, the debate that has played out on social media is whether Wayne Shaw is a hero or a villain. Some say he has overshadowed his teammates’ brave performance, whilst others couldn’t help but love the chubby goalkeeper’s behaviour.
Even before the stunt, Shaw was pictured in the bar at half-time
I kid you not. Sutton reserve keeper Wayne Shaw is in the bar at half-time. pic.twitter.com/f7014pXRBP
— Chris Slegg (@ChrisSlegg) February 20, 2017
Many fans would rather have him in goal than Man City’s Claudio Bravo.
Who’s the better goalkeeper?
Retweet – Wayne Shaw
Like – Claudio Bravo pic.twitter.com/akKDTb9sUs— ㅤㅤㅤㅤ (@ffsCenk) February 20, 2017
Die-hard gooner Piers Morgan loved it, and Shaw has subsequently appeared on Good Morning Britain.
Love Wayne Shaw. #HeAteAllThePies#SUFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/jJHhssnZ9c
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 20, 2017
Shaw certainly got a lot of attention.
Wayne Shaw is absolutely milking this
— Freddy Roth (@dayvan_cowboy86) February 20, 2017
Rafa Benitez, known to some as a ‘fat Spanish waiter’ was reportedly envious of Shaw.
Rafa Benitez is jealous of Wayne Shaw pic.twitter.com/DIq5o3G7Dc
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) February 20, 2017
You could say he’d earned his pie as a reward for earlier work!
Sutton’s substitute keeper Wayne Shaw hoovering the dugouts… pic.twitter.com/FNrtEcVsTu
— Photos of Football (@photosofootball) February 20, 2017
His fame even reached Norway.
Sutton-keeper, Wayne Shaw, is a hero in Norway too.
– My weakness is chips (Wayne 45)Arsenal! Be aware pic.twitter.com/fHIODQ7YqN
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) February 20, 2017
Here is the footage that’s catapulted Shaw into the limelight.
What a legend lol. Eating a pie on the subs bench #WayneShaw #SuttonUnited #SUFCvAFC #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/dQHskx2LiS
— Bart Nowak (@bartnowak79) February 20, 2017