ROUGH and tough ice hockey players have been unwittingly showing their feminine side, to the amusement of Hull supporters.
Often, fans see tempers lost on the ice, with frequent clashes between players high on testosterone and adrenalin.
But judging by this photo circulating among ice hockey clubs the length and breadth of the UK, the biggest threat seems to be a colour clash.
Instead of muscular skating legs, needed to dodge their rivals' defence, Glasgow's Braehead Clan stars appeared to have dolled up to the nines, sporting revealing fishnet stockings and frocks, as they waited to step on to the ice.
Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays Booster Club, which organises trips and fundraises for the Elite League side, organised the cheeky stunt to poke fun at the visitors before Sunday's match.
Luke Foster, who runs the side's website, said the hoarding had fans in stitches.
He said: "It was brilliant. Away players were standing in front of their bench with no idea what was happening.
"The players were positioned perfectly, so from a distance it really did look like they were all wearing skirts."
It has now become an internet sensation, with other ice hockey clubs sharing the lighthearted fun.
Mr Foster explained how the plot had been kept carefully under wraps.
He said: "Braehead came out on the ice to warm up. The board at this point was covered up. When the players went back into the changing rooms, the cover was taken off.
"It was a couple of minutes before the players realised what was happening.
"Everyone had a good laugh at it, including Braehead players. They thought it was hilarious."
Stuart Walker, press officer for Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays, said laughter echoed around Hull Ice Arena as fans spotted the stars – with serious faces ahead of face-off – wearing their lady-like garments.
"It brought a lot of smiles to my smile," he said. "It was hilarious. A lot of people were laughing. At the time, the players had no idea. I am sure they do now, though."
Fans were quick to post their verdicts of the stunt on Facebook.
Paul Carruthers, a member of the Hull Stingrays' Booster Club, wrote: "I'm dead chuffed with it."
Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays went on to win the match 6-4.
