In an unexpected turn of events at the 2023 Beach Soccer Championship in Brighton, a seagull named Steven has soared to fame after being credited with the championship-winning goal in the finals. Call it a misunderstanding of the rules, or the most bizarre officiating blunder of the year, but the winged wonder secured a place in beach soccer history.

The drama unfolded during a tense final between the Sandcastle Strikers and the Driftwood Dashers, with both teams locked in a thrilling 4-4 tie. As the clock ticked down, tension was palpable. And as fate would have it, that’s when Steven swooped in, quite literally.

According to eyewitnesses, the seagull had spent most of the match lazily circling above, eyeing chip butties and scaring toddlers. But with a sudden flash of brilliance—or sheer avian hunger—Steven dove down towards the goal, expertly dodging defenders with exhilarating avian acrobatics before delivering a dramatic peck that sent the ball rolling into the net.

Chaos erupted on the sand. While the players argued with the referee, and spectators debated whether the goal was valid, the referee, Barry “Blindfold” Barnes (who ironically was once voted “Best Optician’s Customer”), blew his whistle and pointed to the center mark, signaling a goal.

Barry maintained, “I’ve been officiating for over twenty years, but that was the most elegant mid-air bicycle kick I’ve ever seen. It deserved a goal.” When reminded that Steven had neither feet nor a bicycle, Barry muttered something about “the spirit of the game” before sidestepping questions and heading towards the ice cream stand.

Steven, on the other hand, was unavailable for comment—possibly due to lack of vocabulary, but more likely because he was busy polishing off a half-eaten funnel cake abandoned in the commotion.

The Driftwood Dashers have lodged an official complaint, though they might have a hard time proving Steven wasn’t a registered player. Sandcastle Strikers celebrated their feathered friend’s goal with gusto, and have even offered a slice of their victory pie—seaweed and anchovy, naturally—as a tribute.

Meanwhile, social media has been set ablaze with memes of Steven sporting a tiny pair of football boots and a jersey, captioned with slogans like “Most Valuable Pigeon” and “Winging the Championship.” The debate rages on about whether Steven should be celebrated or carded, but one thing is for sure: he’s earned a place in the beach soccer hall of fame—and hearts—across the nation.

So next time you find yourself by the seaside and spot a seagull eyeing your snacks, remember: you may just be in the presence of a sporting legend.