Women’s World Sevens Series: Chelsea beat Manchester United to win the title

With rotating options, no offsides and 15-minute halves, the seven-a-side format is designed to unleash creativity.

Staff members and officials also got in on the fun – Tottenham boss Martin Ho wore a fluffy blue cowboy hat, while London City Lionesses manager Eder Maestre celebrated with a special handshake with Nikita Parris.

One of the most widespread walkouts involved Chelsea manager Sonia Bombaster as she was escorted by her team for the semi-final and turned upside down on the ground.

“I enjoyed it. It came from the players. I’m usually someone who is quiet and I don’t want to get too involved but it was a good opportunity,” said Bompster.

“We practiced it a little in the locker room. I made a joke that the players who didn’t get enough minutes would get a chance to knock me out!”

Bombaster borrowed a camera from a nearby photographer and pretended to take pictures of the players before the final, when Manchester United boss Mark Skinner came out in a guard of honor in a white dressing gown and sunglasses.

The officials stole the show by pretending to be wheelbarrows, performing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and holding a penalty shootout before the match started.

Everton spent time before their 5-2 semi-final defeat to Manchester United designing a fake coffin which turned out to be a black suitcase with defender Hannah Blundell hiding inside during the walkout.

Toffees striker Katja Snooz also pretended to give birth as her teammates (the midwives) delivered a football instead of a baby. It contained pictures of injured players who could not compete.

Chelsea players pretended to bowl tenpins, defender Ellie Carpenter and midfielder Wick captain wormed, and Aston Villa teenager Rachel Maltby fell behind.

On the pitch, Chelsea striker Aggie Beaver-Jones lit up with a Rabona assist for Erin Cuthbert and United’s Melvin Mallard feigned needing CPR.