Basingstoke
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Miller time at Wembley
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| Jack shows off his skills with the cube-shaped ball |
ONE young football fan's love of the game has won him a shot at a £100,000 prize - on the hallowed turf of Wembley.
Life-long Basingstoke Town FC fan Jack Miller, 19, has fought off competition in a national "keep-up"competition to win a place in this Sunday's final at the world-famous stadium.
He will take on four others in front of thousands of fans underneath the famous Wembley arch during half-time of the Blue Square Conference Premier Play-Off Final between Exeter City and Cambridge United.
If he wins he will take home a massive £100,000 - and victory would also deliver a £20,000 windfall for his beloved football club.
The teenager, from Borodin Close, Brighton Hill, has travelled across the South, battling fans from clubs in the Blue Square leagues, to earn his place in the grand final.
The "Play It Square" competition, sponsored by interactive betting services company Blue Square, has involved keeping a dice-shaped sponge in the air without using arms or hands. The person with the most touches before the sponge reaches the ground has gone through. Jack's current best is 68.
But, in a surprise twist, the organisers have said the final will be a different challenge - and they are keeping it a closely-guarded secret.
All they have told Jack is that he has one chance to kick for the £100,000 prize - and he has been chosen from a random draw to go first.
Jack said: "It's been really tough so far and I haven't even thought about winning. I'm just going to go out there and enjoy it.
"I've no idea what I would spend the money on - maybe driving lessons! If I was given a say in how the money was spent at the club, it would be on a new stand.
"I've been a Basingstoke fan for as long as I can remember, so to be in with a shout of winning the money for the club is fantastic."
Jack plays football for Basingstoke Town FC Supporters Club and his favoured position is right midfield.
He said: "When I was little, I always used to play on a field with a small ball and tried to keep it up in the air for as long as I could.
"I would just get lost in it, but with the sponge dice it's a lot more difficult because the corners make it unpredictable and the wind can take it away."
Jack has no inkling as to what challenge the judges will set for Sunday's final - but he has promised to give it his best shot.
He added: "Everyone has been so supportive in all the rounds so far and I'm just really thankful.
"It's going to be tough because I haven't a clue what the challenge will be, but hopefully I can do my bit for Basingstoke."
9:03am Friday 16th May 2008
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