Dietmar Van Nostrilboy signs for Argyle

A PLYMOUTH Argyle fan has been so taken with a car insurance advert featuring his favourite team that he decided to get a fictional superstar's name printed on the back of his new away shirt.

The ad, staring Paul Whitehouse as an Argyle fan, sees the comedian joke that the money spent by Pilgrims supporters last season could have bought 'Dietmar Van Nostrilboy'.

And Pilgrims supporter Matt Straw is officially the first fan to ask for the name – which could be a play on Dutch star Ruud van Nistelrooy – to be printed on his shirt.

"It's just comic genius, really," he said.

"I think he's going to become a cult hero of the Green Army.

"I may be the first person to have it on the back of my shirt, but I'm sure many, many are going to follow."

Matt, who lives in London, where he attends college, is an Argyle season-ticket holder, as is his dad.

The 40-second TV commercial for Aviva General Insurance was launched earlier this week. Entitled 'Plymouth Football Fan', it's the company's first campaign for general car insurance since its name change – and Matt says the amusing ad is a great way to promote the club.

"I think it's fantastic," he said. "We don't get much press coverage as it is.

"In the Sunday papers it's always bigger teams, so it's fantastic that we're now on the radar and I think other teams are getting a bit jealous, really."

Matt says he even believes the ad has become so popular that it will make an impact at Argyle's first match of the new season at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"I even saw on some of the message boards that they're thinking of some new chants for Saturday's game against Palace," he said.