YES, that is the chairman of York City football club over on the right, prancing in an Austin Powers costume. No need to rub your eyes - it's just John Batchelor doing what this city is rapidly coming to expect.
This is not to suggest we all knew he would willingly wear a silly wig and say "Groovy baby". But it is gleefully to admit that John Batchelor is very much a different sort of chairman than we are used to.
In the week that former chairman Douglas Craig finally relinquished all links with York City, Mr Batchelor has been his usual ebullient self - and that was even before he donned the Austin Powers get-up.
A week ago, Mr Batchelor lambasted City of York Council, calling on the sort of robust phrase he favours, declaring he was not prepared to put up with "the inept bungling of the morons in charge of running this city".
He delivered this colourful rebuke in a report on negotiations over the club's new ground, which he wants to build near to Ikon and Diva nightclubs at Clifton Moor. The city council, Mr Batchelor declared, were not helping his cause. Since then, Mr Batchelor and the council have been involved in further, more positive, discussions.
What a typically heady seven days it has been. Mr Craig finally cut his ties with the club, leaving Mr Batchelor free to approach matters in his own way. And today, he was at it again, sounding off after yesterday's High Court ruling that Carlton and Granada were not liable for the debts of their now defunct joint venture, ITV Digital.
If this ruling stands, the Football League clubs maintain they will lose out to the tune of £178.5 million, of which just short of £250,000 would have gone to York City. Mr Batchelor immediately declared he would sue the Football League.
Today, he told this newspaper that if other clubs joined in his proposed action, the Football League could be destroyed - and rebuilt again.
As always, this is head-spinning stuff. Let's hope the admirably energetic Mr Batchelor can translate all this busyness into successful football. City's first match, against Macclesfield, is in eight days time. Let's see some Powers on the pitch, please.
Updated: 11:18 Friday, August 02, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article