Gurning Les turns back the clock

PLENTY of eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish returned to the Liverpool hotseat.

But the impact of King Kenny’s Anfield resurrection is small-fry compared to the comeback set to rock the football world.

Yes, Chronicle columnist and Manchester City kit manager Les Chapman is bringing back the art of gurning — just when you thought it was consigned to the 1980s, when Les Dawson was in his pomp.

For his own unique take on the Oscars, the renowned prankster handed out the inaugural ‘Chappys’ to a string of City’s household names.

Delph resident Les said: “We had a lot of fun doing it. Everything was filmed in a single day.”

The highlight of the skit was undoubtedly Mario Balotelli’s look of utter bemusement when a gurning Les stopped the Italian on his way into the training complex and handed over the best costume award for his extravagant choice of headgear.

“He wore a kind of chicken hat recently which got everyone talking, so I wore one when I gave him the award and he didn’t know what to make of it,” said Les.

“I don’t think Mario had a clue what I was on about.”

Goalkeeper Joe Hart has already begun the quest to move gurning back into the mainstream.

When Les and his assistants dared the England man to replicate the expression during a live television interview following the 0-0 draw with Greek side Aris, he rose to the challenge.

It bagged Hart the best comedy performance award.

Micah Richards, a former Athletic youth player, received best stunt accolade for accidentally headbutting team-mate Nigel de Jong during the 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

Original choreography went to Brandon Ashton, who helps Les with kit duties, following an impromptu dance to the tune of Underworld’s Born Slippy in the dressing room at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

Wing wizard Adam Johnson was named best foreign film winner for successfully speaking Arabic, while Pablo Zabaleta clinched the best make-up gong.

Not that his hardman image is in danger — he was given the award for having his head bandaged up against Arsenal.

Zabaleta told Les he hopes to win a few more trophies with City this season, which will go down well with Blues fans desperate to see some silverware.