PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Charlie Austin has pleaded for help after falling victim to a prank phone call.
The former Southampton and QPR star returned to non-league football last summer, signing for AFC Totton.
Austin is enjoying life in the Southern Premier League where he is trying to help his side win promotion.
However he has been on the receiving end of a prank phone call from someone pretending to work for Irish side Shamrock Rovers.
Austin shared the mobile number he received the call from on X and offered his followers the chance to ring the person.
He tweeted: “Please find out who this [is] pretending to be from Shamrock Rovers and giving me prank calls. Feel free to call this number for yourselves much appreciated 👍🏻”
Most fans reacted by advising Austin to block the number although some found the incident amusing.
One reacted saying: “Best tweet of 2025 so far.”
Another added: “Cracker!”
A third wrote: “Contender for best tweet of all time.”
And another commented: “Can’t believe this is a real tweet.”
Austin, 35, looks set to finish his career in the same way he started it – in non-league.
The striker began his career at Kintbury Rangers followed by Hungerford Town, Thatcham Town and Poole Town.
He got his first big move by joining Swindon and worked his way up the leagues to play in the Prem for QPR, scoring 18 goals in 2014-15 season.
Austin earned himself acclaim in 2018 while playing for Southampton over his call for the introduction of VAR.
Speaking about a disallowed goal against Watford, he said: “They said it was offside… it’s a joke!
“Going on about VAR this VAR that, help the officials out. Clearly they need help.
“We play in the Premier League. The best league in the world, the most watched league in the world.
“Give them all the help they need because clearly they cost us two points today it’s a joke.”
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