The Football Association of Wales has confirmed they will be unveiling a statue of legendary player Gareth Bale holding a 9-iron ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia.
Thought of by many as their greatest-ever player, the choice to immortalise Bale came down to a vote amongst senior officials as to which Welsh legend was most deserving to receive the honourary statue which will be situated outside the Principality Stadium.
Alternative suggestions were John Hartson kicking Eyal Berkovic in the head and an animatronic Neville Southall saying ‘well done, he’s 13’.
But it was Bale in full golf mode that won final approval.
“We are delighted the delegate party opted to go with a statue of Gareth as it’ll be a huge boost to our fans and the team having him here in some capacity, even if his mind is addressing an awkward lie off the 13th fairway,” a spokesperson told Paddy Power News.
“It’ll be an emotional moment for everybody to see this wonderful statue of our former captain and leader doing the one thing he loved the most – playing golf.”
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For Wales, having entered life after Bale, it seems all attention now turns to Nathon Broadhead who has been earmarked as the future of the national team.
Broadhead make an excellent start to his new responsibilities on the pitch by bagging a late equaliser on Saturday night in a surprise 1-1 draw away in Split.
A product of Everton’s academy, Broadhead has wasted little time showing his former employers what terrific operators they are in the transfer market by flourishing since leaving for Ipswich.
And along with doing the business for his country in the Euros qualifier, the 24-year-old is taking his responsibilites off-the-pitch seriously too.
Broadhead is said to be “excited” by the prospect of being ‘the new Bale’ and is understood to have spent a lot of time in his back garden working on his putting stroke in a bid to emulate his hero.
“Nathon is a good lad and would love to follow in the footsteps of Gareth,” a source told PP News.
He’s even told us he would be willing to join Real Madrid, win multiple titles, score in multiple finals, and still get attacked by his own fanbase.
“Ipswich gaffer Kieran McKenna has bought him an annual pass to the local driving range which shows he has the full support from his manager.
“We don’t expect him to stand in his way if an elite side comes knocking, or if he makes it onto the PGA tour.”
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 110% nonsense and that’s the truth. Honest.
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THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
NAPS & Tipster |
Time |
CRS |
Level Stakes |
Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DiamondonthehillThe Star, Jason Heavey |
18:15 |
Donc |
+26.645 |
|
Fantastic FoxMorning Star, Farringdon |
14:35 |
Epsm |
+19.85 |
|
Fantastic FoxThe Guardian, |
14:35 |
Epsm |
+19.75 |
|
WestoverCambridge Evening News, Luke Tucker |
15:10 |
Epsm |
+15.75 |
|
La Trinidadtipmantips.com, Tipman Tips |
18:15 |
Donc |
+12.083 |
|
HonitonRacing Post, Postdata |
15:45 |
Epsm |
+11.875 |
|
Marhaba The ChampNorwich Evening News, PicksfromthePaddock |
15:45 |
Epsm |
+10.625 |
|
Marlay ParkDaily Mail, Robin Goodfellow |
17:45 |
Epsm |
+8.627 |
|
Imperial RulerThe Irish Sun, |
19:30 |
DRoy |
+8.1 |
|
Savethelastdancemyracing.com, |
16:30 |
Epsm |
+7.083 |
|
SavethelastdanceRacing Post, Spotlight |
16:30 |
Epsm |
+6.742 |
|
ToshizouRacing Post, On The Nose |
15:45 |
Epsm |
+3.738 |
|
Dual Identitypunterslounge.com, The Brigadier |
15:45 |
Epsm |
+3.673 |
|
Soul SisterRacing Post, The Punt |
16:30 |
Epsm |
+0.82 |
|
WestoverDaily Star Sunday, Moorestyle |
15:10 |
Epsm |
+0.568 |
|
Dutch DecoyThe Irish Field, Rory Delargy |
14:35 |
Epsm |
-0.885 |
|
SavethelastdanceYorkshire Evening Post, Lee Sobot |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-2.1004 |
|
Soul SisterRacing Post, Newmarket |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-2.126 |
|
Masekelasportinglife.com, |
15:45 |
Epsm |
-2.179 |
|
HonitonSunday Mail, Rockavon |
15:45 |
Epsm |
-2.5 |
|
WestoverThe Scotsman, Glendale |
15:10 |
Epsm |
-2.695 |
|
Olivia Maraldaattheraces.com, Lawrence Taylor |
17:10 |
Epsm |
-3 |
|
RhoscolynRacing Post, RP Ratings |
14:35 |
Epsm |
-4.425 |
|
SavethelastdanceDaily Telegraph, Marlborough |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-4.515 |
|
SavethelastdanceThe Sun, Templegate |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-4.5444 |
|
Emily UpjohnWeekender, Tom Park |
15:10 |
Epsm |
-5.084 |
|
EmbestoSheffield Star, Fortunatus |
17:40 |
Donc |
-5.357 |
|
La FeileRacing Post, The North |
16:45 |
Carl |
-5.425 |
|
KylianDaily Post, Mercury |
13:40 |
Carl |
-5.643 |
|
Soul SisterDaily Record, Garry Owen |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-6.2 |
|
Savethelastdance888Sport, Steve Mullington |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-6.795 |
|
Marhaba The ChampScottish Sun, Jim Delahunt |
15:45 |
Epsm |
-7 |
|
Old GoldRacing Post, West Country |
20:40 |
Strf |
-7.0763 |
|
SavethelastdanceLiverpool Echo, Chris Wright |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-7.75 |
|
Soul SisterSunday Telegraph, Whistler |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-7.891 |
|
All The King's MenThe Sun On Sunday, Sirius |
14:35 |
Epsm |
-9.625 |
|
Fantastic FoxYorkshire Post, The Duke |
14:35 |
Epsm |
-9.806 |
|
MajesticRacing Ahead, Ben Morgan |
15:45 |
Epsm |
-11.5 |
|
Secret InvestorD Express, Melissa Jones |
19:05 |
Strf |
-12.306 |
|
Urban SprawlIrish Post, Karl Hedley |
17:45 |
Epsm |
-12.5 |
|
Eternal HopeEast Anglian Daily Times, Dean Kilbryde |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-13 |
|
MajesticIpswich Star, Matt Polley |
15:45 |
Epsm |
-13 |
|
On The Right TrackRacing Post, Lambourn |
15:35 |
Chep |
-13.125 |
|
OrbaanDaily Mirror, Newsboy |
14:35 |
Epsm |
-15 |
|
ClochetteThe i, Jon Freeman |
17:45 |
Epsm |
-15.341 |
|
Barton SnowIrish Daily Star, Brian Flanagan |
20:20 |
Tram |
-15.567 |
|
Point LonsdaleIrish Herald, Ian Gaughran |
15:10 |
Epsm |
-16 |
|
NorthcliffSporting Times, Jeffrey Ross |
20:25 |
Catt |
-16.435 |
|
BobsleighThe Times, Rob Wright |
14:00 |
Epsm |
-17.546 |
|
RunninwildSunday Express, |
19:25 |
Catt |
-18.209 |
|
HaatemRacing and Football Outlook, Andrew Mount |
14:00 |
Epsm |
-18.567 |
|
Soul SisterRacing TV, The Score |
16:30 |
Epsm |
-19.15 |
|
HolguinMirror Online, |
17:10 |
Epsm |
-19.1504 |
|
La TrinidadJersey Evening Post, Rory Paddock |
18:15 |
Donc |
-27 |
*Odds quotes are correct at time of publishing but all prices are subject to change.
