City fan starts campaign to get Bruno Berner Swiss recall

A young Leicester City fan is behind a Facebook campaign to get defender Bruno Berner a recall to the Switzerland squad for this summer's World Cup.

Brad Foster, a student at Beaumont College, Oadby, has already attracted nearly 550 members and plans to present an e-petition to the Swiss FA.

"Bruno is aware of what I'm doing and I'm told he likes the idea," said 15-year-old Foster, who sits in the Kop at the Walkers Stadium.

"I thought starting a Facebook group was the best way to get youngsters like myself involved because they tend to use it a lot.

"It's great to have so many members and we're hoping we'll get a load more with the publicity in the Mercury."

Brad says Berner's consistent performances at left-back have made him a "cult hero" with the Blue Army.

The former Blackburn full-back has started 26 league games this season and scored three goals, including last week's opener against Nottingham Forest.

"I'm on the Kop and you know from the comments that he is a cult hero, all the fans really rate him," said Brad.

"He is a really good defender, a no-nonsense player and I think he should be in their World Cup team.

"It was something which (BBC commentator) Ian Stringer started and we've just kicked it on.

"Switzerland can't have that many players with his experience, he has also been in the Premier League with Blackburn."

Berner has 16 caps. including three appearances in the 2004 European Championships, but he has so far been unable to win his place back in the national squad, despite his impressive form for City in the Championship.

"I'm ready but there is not much time left so it will be difficult as we are very strong on the left side," Berner said.

Switzerland launch their World Cup campaign against European champions Spain in South Africa on June 16.

The Swiss are also in the same qualifying group as England and Wales for the 2012 European Championships.

If Berner does earn a recall, that could see him going head-to-head in the Euro qualifiers with team-mate Andy King, who has broken through into the Welsh senior ranks.

"I will be focused on Leicester for the next few weeks and, if my country call me up, I will be ready," added Berner.