The 5pm Dining blog doesn’t follow much sports news but we loved the following story about MEATliquor and Wayne Shaw, the ex-Sutton goalkeeper.

To put it all in context, Monday night saw the non League side Sutton United being knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal.

Sutton’s goalkeeper was Wayne Shaw, a man whose robust, 23 stone physique means he is known to some fans as the Roly Poly Goalie.

A bookmaker rather cheekily offered odds of 8-1 against Wayne wolfing a pie on camera during the match.

Piegate

Sure enough, Wayne got stuck into a meat and potato pie during the 83rd minute of the game.

He says that he had ‘given the nod’ to a couple of pals who had punted a couple of quid and won their bets.

All good knockabout fun until the Gambling Commission started looking asking questions about the integrity of the game.

The end result of the stunt is that Wayne Shaw is now the ex-Sutton goalkeeper having tearfully tendered his resignation yesterday afternoon.

Meaty new role for Wayne Shaw

A sorry tale all round but there may yet be a happy ending for the pie-loving.

MEATliquor restaurant chain has offered Wayne a job as Chief Pie Eater on Twitter.

The job, which is to be defined in partnership with Bridge, involves daily duties of eating the full array of new menu items.

These are expected to range from pies to variations on the classic cheese and chicken burger, to wings, fries and desserts. It is a meaty role which Wayne will really be able to get his teeth into.

Chief Pie Eater

Scott Collins, co-founder of MEATliquor, said: ‘The highlight of this year’s FA cup has not been on the pitch. It’s been in the heart of the Sutton dug-out. (We were) impressed by Mr Shaw’s appetite for pasties and pies… His level of knowledge as to what makes good tasty food is something that we just couldn’t see go to waste. We would like to offer him a job as our newly created Chief Pie Eater. We are awaiting an official response, but on behalf of everyone at MEATliquor – we really hope he accepts.’

As do we. Although we must confess to feeling the odd pang of jealousy.