Reading CITY - it's an odds on certainty say bookies
Published 1 Feb 2012 11:00
14 Comments
READING is the odds on favourite to shake off 25 challengers to be named Britain's Jubilee city.
The town is being quoted at odds of 8/11 by Ladbrokes and, with punters able to back Reading at odds of up to 10/1 last year, the firm is now sweating on a five-figure payout if the city status vote does go in the town's favour.
Perth is also in the running at 5/1 but the betting on Tower Hamlets (9/1) and Bolton (20/1) has begun to drift.
Ladbrokes is aiming to cushion its potential losses by making a special 33/1 offer on the town completing a double - clinching city status and the Royals winning football's Championship to return to the Premier League in May.
Richard Royal, Ladbrokes' public affairs manager, who used to live in Reading himself. said: "It's one way traffic for Reading. Champagne corks will be popping on us if the gamble is landed."
But he added: "Savvy local punters backed their home town at huge odds when the announcement was first made so we're hoping there's a late twist."
The Government has still not given a date for the announcement about the Queen's Jubilee year choice to become a city.
Ladbrokes latest betting: Reading 8/11; Perth 5/1; Medway 8/1; Tower Hamlets 9/1; Bournemouth 10/1; Doncaster 10/1; Middlesbrough 12/1; Luton 12/1; Milton Keynes 12/1; Colchester 14/1; Chelmsford 16/1; Bolton 20/1; Dudley 20/1; Coleraine 20/1; Gateshead 20/1; Dorchester 20/1; Croydon 25/1; Dumfries 25/1; Southend 25/1; Stockport 25/1; Wrexham 33/1; St Austell 33/1; St Asaph 33/1; Corby 40/1; Craigavon 40/1; Goole 50/1.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 01 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Punting for Perth
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 12:30
Report commentSurely Rob Wilson MP knows? After all, he is the PPS to the minister who makes the recommendation to The Queen and whom along with Alok Sharma was criticized for the content of their 10 minute debate on Reading's bid. Shock horror probe they learnt that Dorney along with other noteworthy sites and institutions were not part of the town.
Ladbrokes, have you checked for insider dealing! Only joking - the bid is nothing to do with self interest.
Recommend?
Yes 13
No 13
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BarbaraC
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 14:22
Report commentCue headline later this month "Reading fails in its bid to become a city"
I have a sinking feeling Perth may get it - something to keeps the Scots onside and stop them voting for independence.
Recommend? Yes 35
No 3
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get the facts right
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 15:47
Report commentNick Clegg and Mark Harper advise the Queen on the Jubilee City bids not Jeremy Hunt.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 20
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Punting for Perth
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 17:29
Report commenthttp://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/7610.aspx
Which other Ministers are involved?
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for co-ordinating the Government’s involvement in the Diamond Jubilee.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 12
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G O D
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 19:16
Report commentIs the place really deserving of such stature? However one would add Reading is doing a very fine impression of a third world multi-cultural slum these days...
Recommend? Yes 31
No 5
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Lord Jason
Unregistered User
Feb 1, 21:44
Report commentReading does indeed appear to be following in the footsteps of such cities as Bradford, Birmingham and oh no Slough isn't a city. Darn it!
Recommend? Yes 17
No 4
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Samoo
Unregistered User
Feb 2, 19:43
Report commentNick Clegg is Lib-Dem leader and visited Colchester with Jeremy Hunt and four other cabinet ministers. His favourite Lib-Dem party rebel is 'Sir' Bob Russell who represents Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town and first city upon Roman founding. It is a Super Garrison and a Royal Saluting Station, plus Royal charters and visits on regular occasions. I like Reading, but i wouldn't dismiss places like Colchester.
I think a conservative or Lib-Dem led council will get it, cos the last cities created were fixed due to Labour mariginal seats.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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Mischievous
Unregistered User
Feb 3, 01:05
Report commentThe results, apparently, will be known during early Feb.
I wonder if the bookies have visited READING or whether the odds are taken from what was put forward in the bid document. For some reason the bookies think of Reading having a population of 250,000!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 2
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Speaker
Unregistered User
Feb 3, 10:09
Report comment@ Mischievous
The results could be known now by May, as they keep changing it!
Odds are given according to the amount of bets placed on a town, i.e. alot of business men etc may be putting large sums on Reading to either because they believe it will win, or, because they want to make it look better.
Preston and Wolverhampton were both rank outsiders at 25-1 - and guess what status they now have.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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The City of Reading
Unregistered User
Feb 3, 15:02
Report commentWe are looking for people to support Reading's City Status Bid. We are promoting Reading in the run up to the announcement, and you can support the bid by writing for the City of Reading website or joining us on social networks.
Today, we have published an article explaining all you need to know about the City Status Competition, plus Reading's actual City Status bid is included - http://www.thecityofreading.com/2012/02/03/city-status-all-you-need-to-know-about-city-status/
Recommend? Yes 2
No 3
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CommonSense Party
Unregistered User
Feb 5, 15:25
Report commentDoes it really matter?.............or then again I wonder if it does something for councillor's allowances in a city.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 2
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TabbyBoy
Unregistered User
Feb 7, 19:07
Report commentWith Reading's council being so up themselves and the bookies offering odds-on, I reckon disappointment is on the cards again. I've put £100 each on Perth & Middlesborough as it'll either help the Scots stay in the UK or give the North East a welcome boost. I live in Reading and this town deserves to remain just that, a town. It has too many traffic problems and too few bridges over the Thames. It is also the crime capital of the Thames Valley.
@Lord Jason, I am inclined to agree with you ;-)
Recommend? Yes 11
No 2
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The City of Reading
Unregistered User
Feb 10, 14:35
Report commentIt is a shame to see people not showing faith in their home town and getting behind the bid to help the town become a City. There are big projects happening in Reading today such as the huge redevelopment of the train station and also many great projects planned for the future. We have put together 10 reasons why Reading should be a City based on what we have here today http://www.thecityofreading.com/2011/05/26/10-reasons-why-reading-should-be-a-city/
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
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Dpj61
Unregistered User
Mar 5, 07:39
Report commentIi fail to understand what Reading has that really makes eligible to become a city when local towns much smaller have more amenities, for example Bracknell has a ski slope (reading none) it also has a large swimming complex (we currently have the Central pool a decrepit and tired old facility) Basingstoke has an ice skating rink (Reading has none) Newbury has a town centre cinema complex (we have to go to Winnersh which technically is not Reading) the councillors and planning officers of Reading seem more interested in filling the town with Tesco superstores and new apartments which is another word for flats that will become slums in years to come, the new West Village site in Portman Rd is already home to ladies of the night and kids are climbing over parked cars at night, before spending vast amounts of our money on what amounts to simply a title these people should think more about what really benefits the people of reading to make their lives better.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 1
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