Former England striker sets the record straight

Les Ferdinand has denied vandalising the Blue Peter Garden in 1983.

The iconic garden, designed by Percy Thrower, was vandalised on 21 November 1983. A rumour circulated in the early 1990s that the vandalism had been carried out by a gang including the footballers Dennis Wise and Les Ferdinand when they were teenagers.

But former England striker Ferdinand, denied in an interview this week with the South Wales Echo that he was the culprit. He said: “I used to go to a school near the garden with Dennis Wise. In a TV interview I was asked if we got into any trouble and if I was involved with the garden.

“I just said: ‘Yeah, I helped one of my mates over the wall.'

“Next thing there are reporters outside my house. It was just a joke that got out of control, I’ve never vandalised anything in my life.”

Les Ferdinand who had a successful career with clubs including QPR and Newcastle United is still revered at Loftus Road where he is known as 'Sir' Les. Scotching the rumour of his involvement in this crime may have increased the possibility of him actually being awarded a Knighthood - a little bit.

April 24, 2008