Championship Manager in football transfer first

Championship Manager, the computer game, has become the first British brand to purchase a footballer.

Non-league defender Adam Garner has been signed by Championship from Chippenham Town and loaned out to Conference South team Bedford Town.

Bedford Town manager Nick Platnauer says: “We’re a club with limited resources, so we wouldn’t have been able to afford Garner’s wages. I’ve been a fan of Championship Manager for years and with Conference South included for the first time in the latest version I thought I’d use it for some preliminary scouting. I didn’t have this type of deal in mind but it has certainly paid off.”

Championship Manager will now be entitled to a transfer fee if the player is sold.

Championship’s studio manager David Rutter says: “This certainly poses some interesting questions on the future of player transfers and while we’re the first brand to buy a player I’m sure we won’t be the last.”