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Two former Bristol City players are set to be involved in new tournament
The Baller League is a new six-a-side tournament consisting of ex-professional players and well-known influencers/celebrities. The draft has taken place this week at London’s Copper Box Arena where 144 players have been selected.
The new indoor competition is due to begin on 24th March. There are a couple of individuals with a Bristol City connection who will be taking part.
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The Robins are currently sat in 7th place in the Championship table behind West Brom as they look to get into the play-offs. They drew 1-1 with Hull City last time out and are back in action on Tuesday night with an away trip to Bramall Lane to take on automatic promotion hopefuls Sheffield United.
Former Bristol City man selected in Baller League UK draft
Former Bristol City defender Adrian Mariappa has been selected for N5 FC, who are managed by Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg. The 38-year-old, who has most recently been playing in the National League for Wealdstone, played for the Robins for a year from 2020 to 2021.
He was snapped up to boost their defensive ranks and went on to play 27 matches in all competitions, 25 of which have come in the Championship. The ex-Jamaica international has also had spells with the likes of Watford, Reading, Crystal Palace, Macarthur, Burton Albion and Salford City in the past.
Mariappa was in the Premier League as recently as 2019 and has made over 500 appearances in his career to date. He has scored 11 goals from the back.
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N5 FC team in full: Owen Locke, Adrian Mariappa, Brian Ly, Charlie Wakefield, Dayo Adekayo, Chris Arba, Imran Kahani, Michael Class, James Alabi, Troy Molunda, Freddie Berrati, Callum Charlton. Managers: Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg
Lansbury snapped up by VZN FC
Henri Lansbury, who had a stint at Bristol City in 2021, has been picked for VZN FC. The 34-year-old last played for Luton Town in 2023.
He started his career at Arsenal after joining them as a youngster from Norwich City. The midfielder rose up through the Gunners’ ranks and went on to play eight matches for their first-team as a youngster, as well as having loans away at Scunthorpe United, Norwich City, Watford and West Ham to get experience. Lansbury then embarked on spells at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa before the Robins swooped in. He will now be looking to show what he can do playing in the Baller League under the guidance of YouTuber TBJZL.
VZN FC team in full: Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair, Remy Mitchell, Montel McKenzie, Florian Kastrati, Michael Olive-Wigan, Barrell Mensah, Ethan McClear, Diego Dombaboni, Jami Kheresi, Luka Barusic. Manager: TBJZL
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Baller League CEO, Felix Starck has said: "Baller League is a brand new way to consume football. We're redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations.
"Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football. We're about creating a version of the game that's impossible to ignore - thrilling, bold and packed with excitement."