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You are in: Funny Old Game |
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Monday, 24 June, 2002, 16:26 GMT 17:26 UK
Claret and royal blue
Carefree punters are backing Prince William to play football for Aston Villa - at odds of 500-1. Bookmakers quoted the price after the 20-year-old Villa-mad Prince was seen showing off his football skills during a break from playing polo. But no-one was expected to take up the offer. William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe admitted: "We can't quite believe it. It was only a tongue-in-cheek quote."
He told BBC Sport Online: "We've had several phone calls from people putting down fivers and tenners, which makes you remember why you got into the bookmaking trade in the first place!"
Aside from the Villa bet, you can also get 1,000-1 on William playing for England in the 2004 European Championships - despite the fact he's never had a stint with a professional club. "If he was that good, you would have expected him to have had trials with somebody by now, " admitted Sharpe. "But then who's going to tell the future King of England he's not good enough - not me, that's for sure! Tower "If Henry VIII had been on the throne we would never have laid the bet, because he would have just picked himself if he fancied a game. "I suppose William could invoke the Royal privilege clause - and if you're a struggling club looking to boost flagging attendances, you could certainly do worse than sign him up." "It's a good job England have got a Swedish coach, though, because he can't be put in the tower for saying no!"
Unlikely as it may seem, it would not be unheard of for William to become a sporting idol. Auntie Anne and then-husband Captain Mark Phillips competed in the Montreal Olympics of 1976 as part of the British equestrian team. Five years earlier she was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, following her win on Doublet in the European Three-Day Event at Burghley. Realistically, though, William's got as much chance of playing professional football as David Beckham has of becoming the next King of England. Hang on a minute - what were those odds again?! |
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13 Nov 01 | Funny Old Game
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