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Harry Wilson's debut as youngest-ever Wales player against Belgium earns grandfather £125,000

Thursday, October 17, 2013 by The Telegraph

16-year-old Harry Wilson's debut for Wales against Belgium on Tuesday won his grandfather £125,000 on a 13-year-old bet


Handing over: Wales debutant Harry Wilson fulfils a 13-year-old prediction by his grandfather on the day Craig Bellamy retires from international football Welsh teenager Harry

Wilson has become the youngest player ever to play for his country - earning his grandfather a small fortune in the process.

Liverpool winger Wilson broke a record previously held by Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale when he played in Tuesday's 1-1 draw away to Belgium at the age of 16 years and 207 days.

It was a cause for double celebration for his grandfather, Pete Edwards, who had placed a £50 bet that Wilson would one day play for Wales at odds of 2,500/1 in 2000, when his grandson was only two years old.

Wilson's appearance as an 87th-minute substitute in the World Cup qualifier at Brussels' King Baudouin Stadium meant that bookmakers William Hill had to cough up £125,000.

"Mr Edwards has been able to quit his job as a result of his amazing ability to spot fledgling talent earlier than almost anyone else we've ever taken a bet from," said a William Hill spokesman.

"Apparently, England have also been interested in Harry, who has a grandmother born in Chester. If (England manager) Roy Hodgson had snapped him up, this bet would have been a loser!"

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