Life’s a drag for Purdie!

INJURY-PLAGUED Rob Purdie has yet to make his debut for Athletic but he has been hitting the headlines off the field.

Purdie and former Darlington team-mate Neil Austin made the national tabloids after turning up at the Notts County v Burton Albion match dressed as women.

It all went back to last season when Purdie, Austin and Notts County’s Ricky Ravenhill were all team-mates at Darlington.

Purdie said: “We used to share the same car to training and became good friends.

“We decided to have themed days such as beach wear when we would turn up at training wearing vests, shorts and sun glasses.

“When we visited Ricky at Notts County we decided to go in fancy dress and hit on the idea of going dressed as women.

“We didn’t tell Ricky and you should have seen his face when he saw us in the players’ lounge afterwards.”

Purdie was kitted out at a local Asda store, with team-mate Joe Jacobson acting as his Gok Wan (the fashion expert) providing advice on style.

Purdie admitted he has had to fend off a couple of jokes about his sexuality in the wake of his escapade.