'he's At Theatre Of Dreams, I'm At Theatre Of Trees' - The Fernandes Brothers

One is trying to lead a rebuild of Manchester United, nan different is pushing for promotion from nan ninth-tier Southern Combination League.

While Bruno Fernandes, 30, leads United retired astatine at nan 75,000-capacity Old Trafford, known arsenic nan 'Theatre of Dreams', his older relative Ricardo plies his waste and acquisition 240 miles distant successful West Sussex astatine a crushed nicknamed nan 'Theatre of Trees'.

Roffey FC's location successful Horsham had an mean attendance of 133 past play and sewage its nickname because it is surrounded by trees.

The Fernandes brothers whitethorn play astatine other ends of English football's pyramid but they are much akin than you would think.

They deterioration nan number eight, play successful cardinal midfield, person some captained their nine and people spectacular goals.

"He saw it, it dispersed connected nan internet, it was awesome for me," recalls Ricardo whose onslaught against Seaford Town successful a 2-0 triumph successful April 2024, still gets shared regularly connected societal media.

"The measurement we walk nan ball, our style of play is similar. He's astatine nan 'Theatre of Dreams' astatine Old Trafford, I'm astatine nan 'Theatre of Trees' astatine Roffey."

"Growing up, nan dream was that some of america would beryllium professional, he's made it and I'm pleased I tin bask it alongside him arsenic well."

The brothers grew up successful Porto, pinch Portugal world Bruno 5 years younger than Ricardo.

"He ever liked to do small tricks and make immoderate tackles," Ricardo tells BBC Radio Sussex, admitting it was "not easy" to power his determination.

"I had to effort to protect him successful that way. He ever wanted to play pinch nan older players, but that is why he went to nan top."

Ricardo himself moved to nan UK successful 2015, 5 years earlier Bruno signed for Manchester United, making Sussex his location and started playing astatine Three Bridges FC.

He worked astatine East Surrey Hospital successful Redhill, citing a much "reliable" income arsenic his logic for coming to nan UK.

While Bruno's goals are much recognisable, Ricardo Fernandes' onslaught against Seaford Town racked up millions of views online.

Roffey FC's grounds attendance came connected Non-League Day earlier this twelvemonth successful March, wherever much than 500 supporters attended and he signed autographs afterwards.

There are now supporters groups successful Africa and Portugal, pinch officials astatine Roffey noticing caller fans astir weeks.

"I've signed him doubly and he's scored a fewer goals akin to Bruno," says head Jack Munday.

"The only quality is Bruno plays astatine Old Trafford and Ricardo's here."