Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips had the police in stitches when he was stopped for speeding recently.

When told his punishment would include three points, he replied: "Any chance of giving them to the team?"

Phillips was pulled over in West Rainton, Co Durham, for doing 62mph in a 50mph zone in his BMW.

Policeman Nigel Craig said: "He jokingly asked if the points could go to the club to ease their plight."

Shame it doesn't work like that - it would be great fun to see Sgt Wilko burning around the local villages in an open top Lamborghini.