NOTTINGHAM Panthers players caused a stir in the city as they donned firemen outfits and posed atop a fire engine in a topless photo shoot for their 2013 calendar.
The team, including players David Clarke, Matthew Myers and Josh Ward, all took part in the photo session for their annual "beefcake calendar", which they hope will be a big hit with fans.
"We must have done the calendar for the past five or six years at least," said winger David, 31. "We like doing it because people get to have a few laughs. We don't take ourselves too seriously."
Team manager Gary Moran directed the shoot, instructing the lads to take their tops off as they posed for the Panthers' official photographer, Katie Chadburn.
Centre-man Matthew Myers – who was last year's Mr August – was one of the first up to pose in Bolero Square, outside the National Ice Centre.
Previous photo shoots had taken place in private, so he was surprised to be so out in the open.
"I didn't quite realise we'd be doing topless shots on the Square! I don't mind really, though," said Matthew, 27.
"Last year, I was on month number eight in the calendar but number one in the fans' hearts. This year I'd like to be Mr February for Valentine's Day."
Although it's optional for the boys to take part, Gary finds they are more than willing to disrobe.
He said: "They all stand there and say, 'no I don't want to do this' and then when it's finished they're saying, 'can I do it again?'
"You sometimes get the married ones saying, 'I don't want to do that in case my wife tells me off' but I always tell them to say, 'Gary says I have to'."
Previous photo shoots have taken place in a smoky studio, a gym and changing rooms, but for 2013 they decided to choose the firemen theme for a bit of fun.
The boys admit they might give a copy of the calendar to their mum or girlfriends but it won't be going up in the dressing room. "We have a quick look at it but then it gets hidden away just in case any friends or former team mates get a look at it," said David.
The beefcake calendar became a regular event after it proved popular with a certain section of their fans a few years ago.
Gary said: "The girl fans loved it and snapped it up but the boys complained that they didn't like it, so the next year we did an action calendar and the girl fans had a riot almost.
"The female fans like the beefcake one but I'm not sure the men want to see them with their shirts off."
This year, to keep everyone happy, they're again releasing a double-sided version with action shots on one side and the "beefcakes" on the other.
Gary now has the job of editing the pictures and choosing which players make the cut before the calendar goes on sale at the National Ice Centre just in time for Christmas.
Its release date and price have still to be decided, with money going to support the club .
