Roy Keane doll sales 'soar'

Sales of Roy Keane dolls have soared since the footballer’s shock departure from Manchester United, a toy company said today.

Some stores in Ireland and Manchester sold out over the weekend following the club captain’s departure on Friday.

And a host of Roy Keane memorabilia has appeared on online auction site eBay over the weekend.

Bandai, the company behind the 30cm figure of the footballer, believes the doll could become a collectors’ item.

Irish fans in particular have snapped up the dolls, which come dressed in a replica Man Utd shirt, shorts, socks and boots.

Bandai marketing manager Darrell Jones said: “We have had lots of requests for the dolls and reports of stock selling-out in Ireland and Manchester.

“I suppose this is the last time Keane will appear in a Man Utd shirt so fans are grabbing this piece of football history before it disappears forever.”

The dolls are on sale at independent retailers costing about €30 each.