Atherstone Town fans' favourite Joe Obi admits baby Brooklyn's name was 'written in the stars'

MARRIAGE PROPOSAL AT NEW YORK'S FAMOUS LANDMARK AND THE UNITED CONNECTION ALL POINT TO REASON FOR NEW-BORN'S CELEBRITY BILLING

COVID BIRTH PRACTICE MEANS MASKED FATHER ONLY ALLOWED AT ARRIVAL AFTER SPENDING SIX HOURS IN THE CORRIDOR

SHE'S already got the world at her feet and a doting dad wrapped round her tiny finger.

Congratulations from family and friends winged their way from Belgium to Nigeria and back to the home of Atherstone Town star striker Joe Obi and his wife Keeley on news of the birth of a beautiful baby daughter.

But one more location lingered longest in their thoughts as they coped with the complications of bringing a new-born into the world where Covid-19 conditions set the rules for a delivery.

For one of America's most iconic landmarks proved just what an old romantic at heart the burly centre-forward is.

For it was on New York's Brooklyn Bridge that the former Bolehall Swifts football boss proposed to his sweetheart.

And that magical moment – and another memorable 'love' – tugged at emotions in deciding on a name for their 6lb 3 oz arrival at the Queen's Hospital, Burton-on-Trent this week.

That special occasion, forever etched in their memories, was the clincher for introducing 'Brooklyn' to sister Ava and brother Rico.

"We got engaged on the Brooklyn Bridge which is the reason for the name," Joe told Nub News.

And, of course, the Sheepy Road talisman – who but for coronavirus may well have hung up his boots at the end of last season – has another footballing 'love' which might have played a small part in what to call their third child.

Joe's a big Manchester United fan and new daughter Brooklyn now shares her name with the eldest son of former Old Trafford favourite David Beckham and wife Victoria.

According to Posh Spice's 2014 autobiography Learning to Fly, she reportedly found out she was pregnant with their first child – now a 21-year-old model and aspiring photographer – while they were staying in New York's Brooklyn district.

Ironically, Brooklyn is in the news himself for a romantic gesture earlier this month – going down on one knee and proposing to girlfriend of nine months Nicola Peltz before presenting the Transformers star with a £350,000 engagement ring.

Joe wouldn't be drawn on the United connection for his daughter's name but told Nub News coyly: "The Beckhams do choose nice names for their children."

The hospital birth of Brooklyn Obi was a new experience for the couple.

Joe explained: "It was strange having to sit in the corridor for six hours while my wife was in the ward on her own.

"But in the end I'm happy I was able to be there for the actual birth – albeit in a mask."

As the baby makes five in the Obi household, the firm favourite at the Mark Webster Community Stadium has promised to give his adoring fans "one more season as lockdown exercise has made me maybe fitter than I've ever been".

Certainly back in March – when Covid-19 restrictions had just been introduced on an unsuspecting UK – Nub News caught up with Joe and joint manager Adam Davies in the Mancetter countryside doing their once-daily exercise regime allowed by Prime Minster Boris Johnson

For Adders, the month of March saw the club go from the heights of dreaming of Wembley in the FA Vase, promotion to the Midland Football League Premier, and a tilt at the title – to the lows of seeing a season abandoned.

At the start of last term he dreamed of finishing his career with an appearance at Wembley but when coronavirus wreaked havoc on the non-league scene – the Atherstone striker decided he could not end his time in football "off a season that hasn't finished".

And the last word from Sheepy Road as Brooklyn's arrival comes with "massive congratulations from everyone at the Adders" for the baby whose name was written in the stars.