Soccer's top prize comes to town

From the archive, first published Monday 31st Oct 2005.

ENGLISH football's ultimate prize, the Premiership trophy, was sized up by Swindon shoppers.

The huge cup, which weighs as much as a small child, was put on display at Barclays Bank in Regent Street yesterday.

With football chants blasting from the speakers, members of the public were invited to pose with the trophy, an opportunity relished by young and old alike.

Dale Hatt, 15, from Liden, came in with his mum especially. A Liverpool supporter for a few years, he grinned as he said: "It was excellent, well good."

The trophy, weighing in at four stone, was flanked by burly security guards Tony Leonard and Keith Russell.

"The Premiership and Barclays wanted to bring the trophy to the fans," said Tony, whose job takes him all over Europe.

"But it's the same wherever we go: from toddlers to pensioners the first word is `wow'."

Officially classed as priceless, the trophy boasts a solid sterling silver body.

Teams lucky enough to lift it are inscribed on the base, which alone weighs two and a half stone.

People were invited to donate a small sum to the sensory unit at the Great Western Hospital in return for the special moment.

Assistant branch manager at Barclays, Sarah Bourton, said: "We've had loads of kids come in, its lovely to see their faces light up as they walk through the door."

Fellow supporter Kamera Mawundula, 27, from Covingham said: "It was magic.

"Hopefully Liverpool will lift it soon, but the chances are pretty slim."

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