SPIEGEL ONLINE: Bradley Stokes, how did you end up with Bradley Stoke Town in the Bristol and District Football League?

Bradley Stokes: I just graduated from Bristol University. During my studies I did not have time for football, but now I really wanted to get back into a club. I knew there was a place in the area called Bradley Stoke, so I just googled if there might not be a club there. And I was lucky. What is the chance that you play in a club that is called like you? One in a million maybe.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Club staff must have believed in a joke when they contacted each other.

Stokes: Yeah, everybody was pretty surprised when they heard my name. I have presented my identity card and driver's license as proof, so I realize that I'm serious. After that, the people were super nice to me. I first played for the reserve and was then promoted to the first team. The season is going well. We want to play for the rise. I would rather not talk about the past weekend. I made an own goal.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Is your name in the cabin a topic? Are your teammates joking?

Stokes: Yes, yes. When I first introduced myself to my first game for the first team, it said, "Ah, you have to be the famous Bradley Stokes." Well, I'm fine. My teammates even have a song for me. It goes like this: "His name is the club, his name is the cluuuub - Bradley Stokes, his name is the club."

SPIEGEL ONLINE: You are now a little celebrity. Various British media have reported on you. Do you like that?

Stokes: The thing is, actually, I do not like being the center of attention. We are just a really good troupe, a few guys have been playing for the club for many years. And then I come and suddenly I'm the big number. That's funny.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: You had to go out of it.

Stokes: Well, I already knew that there are some jokes from my fellow players and that my name might become a local topic. But that even journalists call from Germany, I would not have expected. It is important to me that the team does not suffer from the hustle and bustle. Recently, the BBC wanted to make a contribution about me in a really important game of ours. But I was not sure if the crew would feel comfortable with a camera crew in the cabin. We then postponed the shoot to a cup match.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Your club is sure to be pleased about a bit of attention.

Stokes: Definitely. I have put the club on the map. It would be nice if we could win some new sponsors who might be able to pay us for new jerseys or track suits. It should not just be about me, the whole club should benefit.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Have you negotiated a special premium because you make the club known nationwide?

Stokes: Haha, no. We do not get any money. The level is too low for that. We play in the 14th league.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Have you heard of stories like yours? Do you know other players who are called their club?

Stokes: No, I do not have. That makes my story so unique, I suppose.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What about former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger?

Stokes: You could call that. But just fits the first name.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: The VfL Wolfsburg was once trained by a man named Wolfgang Wolf.

Stokes: Yes, that's what I heard.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: It's true: Bradley Stokes at Bradley Stoke, it will not fit. Do you realize that you can never change clubs again?

Stokes: I know that. I am now 23 years old. Of course, as a young player you should always aim to go to a bigger and better club. But I'm realistic. I know my level. I do not think that at some point wants a club from a higher league. As long as I live in Bristol, there's no reason for me to go anywhere else.