A FOOTIE fan has created a hilarious video of supporters tripping up a stadium step a fraction higher than the rest.
Jon Jackson, 35, and his pal Ryan Arnold were in hysterics as they watched “everyone stack it” and get “showered with drinks” in the away end at the Madejski Stadium.
The footage starts with a man knocking his toe on the step in question in the South Stand of the Reading FC ground.
A second bloke, wearing brown shoes, then comes close to tripping in exactly the same spot before a third almost ends up on his knees during the climb.
The montage, taken as Reading took on Nottingham Forest, ends with a fourth bloke in pointy shoes “absolutely stacking it”.
Forest fan Jon, who lives in London, said: “I think the step is only slightly higher, about 3mm, but it fools almost everyone.
“We first noticed it because my mate and I kept getting showered with people’s drinks as they fell.
“Then we watched people falling up the step for about 40 minutes before I got my phone out.
“It’s great entertainment. I’ve never seen something like that happen to so many people.”
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The clips were originally shot in 2015 but resurfaced when Facebook reminded Jon of his hilarious post seven years ago.
Jon, who hosts the talkSPORT Hit podcast, said: “I shared it first in 2015 and a few people found it pretty funny.
“Then Facebook reminded me it was seven years ago on Monday, so I shared it again while I was sitting on a Zoom call and the next time I looked at Twitter, it was on one million views.
“It’s been funny seeing how many people have a similar step at their local club and I’ve had messages from all around the world.
“It’s also interesting to see people arguing over how many millimetres a step needs to be to trick the brain into falling, and also learning how it was a medieval trick to stop intruders.
“It was made on Vine back in the day, so you only had seven seconds to make people laugh.
“I made sure they got progressive worse – ending with the guy in the dodgy black shoes completely stacking it.
“He was wearing a trilby which nearly flew off too.”
‘HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT’
The video has since racked up 3.7m views, with thousands of likes and comments from amused football fans.
One Twitter user said: “The little tap everyone does with their toe before stumbling is magnificent.”
Another wrote: “Hours of entertainment”, while a third commented: “Why is this so funny?”
Hundreds of people also argued about how much higher it would need to be to make a difference, but most agreed as little as 1mm can prove crucial.
Arran Lenihan, a carpenter joiner, said: “Even as little as 1mm higher can make you trip, or 1mm lower make you s*** yourself because you think you’re about to fall off a cliff.”
Even singer Anne-Marie, who famously flew down the stairs during her performance at last month’s Brit Awards, got involved.
She said on Twitter: “Whoever built these steps must have built the steps at the Brits.”
Reading FC declined to comment but advised the step, where the gradient changes, is in the away stand.
The club also said it has since fitted a handrail and warning notice to help prevent others falling over.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
