In the United Kingdom, it is every parents’ dream to see their child make it big as a footballer. As a matter of fact, it is pretty common for them to take a punt on their children with the odds of them making it to club football or even the national team. Ladbrokes, an online bookmaker revealed in 2012 that they receive thousands of requests each year, while they offer fixed odds on any child under six to the count of 1000-1 to play for England and 500-1 to play in the Premier League. BestofBets takes a look at 5 such footballers whose families placed long-term bets on their career.
5 footballers whose families placed long-term bets on their career
- Kai Fifield:
Northampton based youngster Kai Fifield was on holiday in Barcelona in 2011 when he came across an academy game after his tour of the Camp Nou and asked to join in.
He was given the chance out of the blue and he went on to play alongside Barcelona youngsters before being offered a trial.
Bookies immediately took notice of this instance and slashed odds of the seven-year-old playing for England to as low as 50/1. Bookies also offered odds of 250/1 to play for Spain. - Ryan Tunnicliffe:
English midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe was playing for Manchester United’s youth team. His dad managed to place a bet with odds of 100/1 on his son featuring for the first team. The bet earned him £10,000 in 2012.
His dad played an additional bet of £100 on him playing for the England national team at 350/1, although we’re not sure that would happen. - Chris Kirkland:
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland‘s father placed a collective bet of £98.10 with a few people claiming that his son will play for England before the age of 30.
12 years later, Kirkland played the second half of a friendly for England against Greece. As a result, his father’s group won just short of £10,000. That was his one and only appearance for his country. - Harry Wilson:
Former Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson helped his grandfather earn an incredible £125,000. This happened when he became Wales’ youngest ever international on his national team debut in 2013.
Odds of 2500/1 were given on Wilson playing international football and his old man bet £50 on his grandson.
Wilson now remains an integral part of the Welsh national team and plays club football for Fulham. - Lewis Cook:
Cook was plying his trade at Leeds in 2014. His grandad Trevor Burlingham was offered odds of 33/1 on the Bournemouth midfielder playing a senior game for England’s national team. He bet £500.
In March 2018, Cook made his England debut against Italy at Wembley. His grandfather won a very impressive £17,000.All things considered, we hope you liked our list of 5 footballers whose families placed long-term bets on their career!
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