When John Woodman, pictured, reveals his middle name to his friends they exclaim: "you cannot be serious, man!"

For the 21-year-old student from Bank Foot is called John McEnroe after the American tennis ace, who is his mum's sporting hero.

John, who lives with his family at Carr Street and works part time at Morrisons supermarket on Mayo Avenue, is proud of his legendary moniker.

"It is quite good because its unusual, better than just any old name," he said. "If I get chatting to people I do tell them about it and it's quite a talking point."

The former St Bede's school pupil, who is now studying an HND in Travel and Tourism at Bradford College, has been looking forward to the Wimbledon tournament where his namesake is a top commentator throughout the next fortnight.

He said: "I like John McEnroe and I reckon I have the same sort of temperament as him on the tennis court because I can be a bit of a sore loser!"

But as an avid Manchester United fan, John joked: "I'd prefer to be called after the full Manchester United team.

"My half sister is called Nicola Law Busby Woodman!"

His tennis fan mum Theresa, who decided on John's famous name when watching the tournament while pregnant, said she had rushed down to the register office to record it.

She said: "They looked surprised and asked me what I was doing but I said I was hoping when he was older he would be a tennis player.

"If my husband Arthur had got there first he would probably be called Stevie Coppell Woodman because he is a Manchester United fan!"

"I just think McEnroe is a brilliant tennis player, he's one of the greats like Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase but I wouldn't call my child that. McEnroe was always the character because of his tantrums."

And her mother's instinct has proved right because she says some of John's characteristics echo the man whose on-court antics made him a household name.

"John definitely has some of his traits because he is very easy going but also strong-minded like McEnroe."

l Have you got an unusual moniker? Call the Telegraph & Argus on (01274) 705355.