Liverpool FC fan's tale of delight in Istanbul drama

Mark, of Prenton, decided to go for a walk around the stadium and his experience went from abject to spectacular.

The 28-year-old ended up watching the game next to Italian prime minister and AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, before finally celebrating victory with his boyhood idols in Liverpool's VIP area.

Now his extraordinary tale has been turned into a play by former Hollyoaks actor and Radio 4 playwright John Graham Davies.

Beating Berlusconi will run across the North West, starting at the Novas centre, in Jamaica Street, from May 7 to June 12.

Father-of-two Mark, 28, said: "I suppose I was a bit cheeky, but I saw the VIP room, just walked in and was immediately given champagne and food.

"Then, seeing how great the view of the pitch was, I sat down and started watching the game next to a well-dressed group of Italian men surrounded by bodyguards."

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With Mark none the wiser who he was, Mr Berlusconi told him to sit by him and started to tease Mark about the score.

But when Mark celebrated Liverpool's decisive equaliser, the Italian leader grew angry and started to jab him in the chest with his finger.

Mark said: "That was when Turkish security came over and asked me to leave, because I was upsetting the important guest.

"I thought I was going to get thrown out, but they put a band on my wrist and took me to the Liverpool VIP area, where I watched history.

"It was only later when I told my father-in-law that he made me realise it was Berlusconi and how close I got to being in big trouble."

Mark runs a cobblers and key cutters in Allerton Road and playwright John has been a customer of his for a long time.

Mark added: "He loved my story and I am delighted with the play.

"It will be a nice legacy for my kids of what their dad did in Istanbul."

See www.beatingberlusconi. com for details

GREG O'KEEFFE