Aug 172013
 

17 Aug 2013 08:27

Billy the Blue is a TV star

Billy Ingham on the march with Blues fans Billy Ingham on the march with Blues fans

One of Everton FC’s oldest fans is the star of a major new TV ad campaign.

Billy Ingham, 86, has been supporting the Blues for more than 70 years and never misses a home game.

He was picked from among millions of fans to feature in a new advert for Premier League sponsors Barclays, which is set for its TV premiere today.

The ad tracks Billy’s matchday journey from his home in Kirkby to Goodison Park, following him through the highs and lows of the action on the pitch.

Billy, who defied his Liverpool-supporting dad as a youngster to follow the Blues, said he felt honoured to have been chosen to appear in the advert.

Lifelong Blue Billy Ingham Lifelong Blue Billy Ingham

He added: “Once the season starts, I will be at Everton watching the game knowing that I’ll be on TV.

“To be an Evertonian and to be shown watching Everton in an advert about the club is something that makes me so proud. I’m so proud about the club and I’m made up to be on television. It’s so exciting – I’ll never forget it. I will be absolutely thrilled.”

The cameras followed Billy as he walked to the ground, where he is a popular figure among generations of Blues.

A Barclays spokesman said Billy was chosen for the campaign as an example of true fans who reflect the spirit of the game and support their teams through thick and thin.

He said: “Barclays wanted to start the next three years of the Barclays Premier League sponsorship by thanking all those fans that make the league what it is. Billy is a lifelong Everton fan, who has followed the club through thick and thin since the 1940s.

“His support and dedication is inspiring and we were delighted when he agreed to appear in the advert – he and people like him are the heartbeat of football.”

The advert will be shown on all UK terrestrial and digital channels.

Five Filters recommends: ‘You Say What You Like, Because They Like What You Say’ – http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/731-you-say-what-you-like-because-they-like-what-you-say.html

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