Samba legends heading for Northern Counties league
Garforth Town announced this week that Socrates, who captained Brazil in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, was joining the West Yorkshire club as a player-coach on a short-term deal.
And the 50-year-old midfielder could be joined at the Leeds club next year by the veteran Samba superstars in the Northern Counties East League Division One.
Owner and manager Simon Clifford said 44-year-old Careca - who scored five goals for Brazil in the 1986 World Cup - had already agreed to play next season.
His close friend Zico, the current coach of Japan, has also said he would line up for the club some time next year.
Clifford, who runs more than 500 soccer schools throughout the world, clinched the deal through his close contacts in Brazil.
“I put out a few feelers and Socrates said he would be interested. He’s a pretty principled guy and isn’t interested in the money - which is just as well because we’re not paying him. I’m told he’s still in good shape, although he’s still smoking.
“I’m pretty strict on discipline and smoking but I guess I can make an exception for him. Careca’s also coming for next season and Zico is going to try his best.”
Socrates, who retired from the game 14 years ago, will make his debut against division leaders Tadcaster Albion on November 20 - just a day after he arrives from Sao Paulo. Clifford hopes the Brazilian will help fill the club’s 3,000-capacity Wheatley Park ground - a far cry from the days when the star played in front of 200,000 people in Rio’s legendary Maracana stadium.
“Last year we had about 50 people watching but that’s gone up to about 500 now. Since we announced Socrates was coming and Zico could be on his way, we’ve had calls from Japan and the USA. People want to buy Garforth shirts for the first time.”
The 33-year-old insists his signings are not a publicity stunt and says his team of part-timers will learn a lot from the trio.
“It’s all part of my plan to get us into the Premiership by 2025. Leeds only has one side. I want to make sure they have two in the not too distant future.”
Former England international Lee Sharpe signed for the club last week and Clifford insists this is just the start of the dream.
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