12 July 2006

England and Everton striker James Beattie has made a shock start to the Premiership season – by signing to 32Red.com Football Furlong.

Everton fans need not worry - their idol has only signed to be the Official Ambassador to the unique football-themed race day at Haydock Park Racecourse on Sunday 16 July and has no plans to leave the Merseyside club!

32Red.com Football Furlong is the one day of the year when the sports of football and horse racing come together.

All the jockeys wear the representative colours of the 20 Premiership soccer clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding. Horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams which go towards a league table throughout the day.

Now in its third year, Football Furlong has been won by Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan over the last two years. The North West is well represented with Man United and City, Everton and Liverpool, Bolton Blackburn and Wigan amongst the clubs taking part. 

Beattie said, “32Red.com Football Furlong is a great way for fans to back their teams before the season starts. It promises to be a great day’s racing and great fun for all the supporters – there’s a free football masterclass, autograph signings and a mascot race as well as six cracking races”.

For more information on the event please visit www.footballfurlong.com
For further media information, please contact:

Rod Kohler, Revolution PR    
Tel: 01903 883747  
Mob: 07770 647662