William Hill Invest £1 Million In England’s Future

The dream of playing for England, of pulling on the famous white shirt, of scoring the winner in the World Cup Final, will remain exactly that for most of us – a dream. With Official England Supporter, William Hill, this summer, however, you can show your support by backing your child or relation.

William Hill are investing £1 million in the future of the England football teams by allowing punters to back their young cubs to grow into lions or lionesses. Entitled ‘Back your Pride and Joy,’ customers will get a free £5 bet certificate at odds of 1000/1 if their ‘pride and joy’ plays for the England men’s or women’s senior team. William Hill will be offering maximum of £1 million worth of stakes in what is bound to be a very popular promotion so punters need to get in there quick to back their ‘pride and joy’.

To qualify, customers simply need to go in shop or online and have a bet on any football market then visit www.williamhill.com/playforengland to customise their own £5 free bet certificate.

William Hill have form when it comes to this kind of bet as England International goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland, will attest. When he was eleven years old, Kirkland’s father backed his son at 100/1 to win a senior England cap. After a few injury scares, Chris eventually won an England cap in 2006 against Greece and netted his proud father a cool £10,000.

Eddie Kirkland, who owes a massive debt of gratitude to his long suffering wife Marie, 53, who encouraged Chris and him every step of the way, said: ‘When I placed my bet 20 years ago, I only wish they had given me a 1000-1 – this is a fantastic opportunity for families with talented offspring’

‘It was never about the money for me once Chris had made the grade – though if I’d had more I’d have put more on back when he was a youngster as I could see his ability shining through. ‘But it’s not about the parents – it’s all about the children. They have got to want to do it themselves. ‘They have to want to play and enjoy playing – my advice to any youngster is the same that I gave to Chris just make sure you enjoy it.”

Chris(31) is now a father himself and is hoping his William Hill ‘Back Your Pride and Joy’ certificate will pay dividends in the coming years ‘At a 1000-1 it’s a great opportunity for a family to get a small fortune for free – I have my certificate for my 5-year-old daughter, Lucy, to play for the England senior women’s football side.’

“Chris Kirkland’s father had no doubt that his son would go on to represent his country and we are offering our punters the same opportunity to back their young cubs to become lions or lionesses,” said William Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly. “Your child could be the next Wayne Rooney or Kelly Smith and you can now back them to do their nation proud.”<

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Pearce’s “old” Boys Could Feature In Future If He Gets Permanent Role

Stuart Pearce allowed Stewart Downing to take the Press Conference for England today and William Hill make the Liverpool winger 33/1 to be England’s captain for their first Euro 2012 game (the same price as Rio Ferdinand). James Milner holds the record for most under 21 appearances, many of which were under Pearce and he is 14/1 to be given the captain’s armband for the France game. Steven Gerrard is the 10/11 favourite although there is a suggestion that should Pearce be in charge at the Euros, he will turn to a number of his U21 stalwarts. Micah Richards is 5/2 to start England’s first game of the tournament, with Kyle Walker 7/4, Danny Welbeck 4/6 and Daniel Sturridge 8/11.

“Pearce knows a lot of these players from his U21 days and he certainly would not have called them up if he thought they would not be up to task,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Frazier Campbell has impressed since returning to action following a year on the touchline and he could mark his miraculous return to form with an England cap. William Hill make him 1/4 to make any form of appearance on Wednesday (11/4 to remain unused).

The match against Holland will be a good test for England against a side who must be confident of reaching the latter stages of the Euros and Hills are offering 12/1 that they meet in the tournament and England qualify.

England Captain for Euro 2012 game vs France: 10/11 Steven Gerrard; 7/4 Scott Parker; 11/2 Joe Hart; 10/1 Frank Lampard; 14/1 Gareth Barry; 14/1 James Milner; 20/1 Ashley Cole; 33/1 Rio Ferdinand; 33/1 Stewart Downing

England vs Holland goal scorer match bet: 10/3 Daniel Sturridge; 10/3 Danny Welbeck; 4/7 tie
*both must start or bets void

Frazier Campbell to make his debut: 1/4 yes; 11/4 no
*Debut counts as minutes played, even as a substitute

To start for England vs France at Euro 2012:

Micah Richards: 5/2 yes; 2/7 no
Glen Johnson: 8/11 yes; 1/1 no
Danny Welbeck: 4/6 yes; 11/10 no
Daniel Sturridge: 8/11 yes; 1/1 no
Kyle Walker: 7/4 yes; 2/5 no

Next permanent England manager: 4/9 Harry Redknapp; 6/1 Stuart Pearce; 7/1 Pep Guardiola; 11/1 Guus Hiddink; 12/1 BAR

FA Trophy: Luton Favs As They Draw Bogey Team

Despite drawing bogey side, York, Luton are the 6/4 favourites to win the FA Trophy, with William Hill making York and Newport 9/4 shots with Wealdstone 8/1 outsiders. Hills think that the final will be contested by Luton and Newport County, offering odds of 5/4 that these two line up at Wembley on the 20th May.

FA Trophy Winner: 6/4 Luton; 9/4 York; 9/4 Newport; 8/1 Wealdstone

FA Trophy – Nominate the finalist: 5/4 Luton/Newport County; 13/8 York/Newport County; 5/1 Luton/Wealdstone; 6/1 York/Wealdstone

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

William Hill Press Office; Greenside House; 50 Station Road; Wood Green; London; N22 7TP

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Barton Odds On For Retrospective Ban…while Olly Had Better Clear His Desk

Joey Barton is odds on to receive a three match ban for punching Morten-Gamst Pedersen in the chest. William Hill are offering 1/4 that his punishment stretches for three matches and for Joey to receive no ban is priced at 8/1. Flouting the laws of the game seemed to be the order of the day on Wednesday when Ian Holloway made ten changes to his side that faced Aston Villa. Olly has claimed that he will quit if he gets a fine and Hills reckon he may do well to start clearing his desk now with 8/13 offered that he receives a fine of some sort from the FA and 6/5 that he does not.

“Joey Barton is no stranger to controversy and would it appear that the FA may decide to step in and hand the midfielder a ban,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Joey Barton’s team-mate, Andy Carroll, has been the subject of much praise recently and William Hill are offering 1/2 that he earns his first England cap against France on the 17th November.

Hills have also opened a market on who will be in the top two come the end of the season and make Chelsea followed by Man Utd, the 2/1 favourite while Chelsea/Arsenal is the 3/1 second favourite.

William Hill Football Specials:

Ian Holloway/Blackpool to receive a fine for fielding a weakened team vs Aston Villa?
Yes 8/13
No 6/5

Includes suspended fines.

How long will Joey Barton be banned for by the FA?
0 games 8/1
1-2 games 6/1
3 games 1/4
4 or more games 7/1

Premier League Forecast
Chelsea/Man Utd 2/1
Chelsea/Arsenal 3/1
Man Utd/Chelsea 9/2
Chelsea/Man City 6/1
Arsenal/Chelsea 8/1
Man City/Chelsea 16/1
Man Utd/Arsenal 16/1
Arsenal/Man Utd 20/1
Man Utd/Man City 20/1
Arsenal/Man City 33/1
Man City/Man Utd 50/1
Man City/Arsenal 66/1

1/2 Andy Carroll Gets An England Cap (6/4 he does not)

Further Information…Joe Crilly…0208 918 3746 / 07850 518 164

Additional Info: http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/y/5/Football.html

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