A FOOTBALL crazy dog breeder from Scotter has created her very own reserve team to celebrate Scunthorpe United's recent success by naming a litter of puppies after her sporty heroes.

Annette Mappin, 53, from Brigg Road, has had the identities of the ten Gordon Setter puppies officially registered with the Kennel Club and named after players including Matt Sparrow, and Paul Hayes.

Annette, who works as a street warden for West Lindsey District Council said: "I'm a Scunthorpe United season ticket holder. My eldest brother started taking me to games when I was just 10 years old and I absolutely adore them.

"I've been trying to mate the pup's mum for two years and then she gave birth when Scunthorpe United were having so much success so I thought I would commemorate it by naming the dogs after the team."

You can view a video of the puppies here. (The story continues below).

But Annette, who has bred more than 45 puppies and always names each litter with a different letter of the alphabet, had to be a bit inventive with her naming.

"With this litter I'm on the letter 'm' and so had to slightly adapt some of the names," she said.

"So for player Gary Hooper I've named the pup Mini Hooper and for manager Nigel Adkins I've named the pup 'Mazing Adkins because Nigel is amazing."

And it seems the pups, who were born to proud mum Rosie, five, and have all been allocated homes, were always destined for stardom.

For the full story buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.