It was inevitable that one day a football club would decide to move into the German cocktail dress market and today it happened.
Limerick FC chose the 20 August, 2014, as the day they dipped their toe into that marketplace, with their website advertising ball gowns of 'distinctive elegance.'
This brave commercial decision was first spotted by the Sun's sports writer Neil O'Riordan, who recorded it as one of the oddest things he had ever seen on a League of Ireland website.
Are @LimerickFCie now selling cocktail dresses in Germany? 1 of the odder things I've read on an LOI club's website http://t.co/BlOWZeIQvp
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) August 20, 2014
Sadly, it only turned out to a brief foray into this new marketplace. We suspect that club were frightened off by the publicity brought upon the move by Mr. O'Riordan.
Now gone from site so no point in the fraulein calling into Bruff looking for a pretty frock pic.twitter.com/ve3ygUgGrC
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) August 20, 2014
Thankfully, John Dodge, of this locale, got there just in time, and put the opening paragraph through the wringer of Google Translate.
As ever with Google translate, the smooth prose is both easily understood and a delight to read.
A ball gown of distinctive elegance, whether long or short, a designer prom dress, simple or complicated? Of course in Cologne at ANNA MODA, the premier shop for prom dresses and party dresses with the personal touch and a selection for every budget in over 50 different colors. Our well trained team with the boss at the top creates a virtuoso manner both for them and for him unique designer fashion. We are specialised to you needs, so that the special day will be unforgettable forever. Called satin or silk, lace bodice create a fascinating interplay of transparencies...
It is understood that none of these items will be up for grabs in the Limerick FC half-time draw at their next home game against Drogheda United on Friday week.