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Prince William was asked about football culture – and spoke about the strange attraction of fandom’s highs and lows.
His own support for Aston Villa grew stronger as the team went down, he said.
“So I think it’s weird, this is going to sound weird, but when we got relegated, I was more into football than I’ve ever been,” he told American podcasters.
“So when Aston Villa went from the Premiership to the Championship all of a sudden I was really excited about the battle to get back to the Premiership.”
His favorite club and the results can affect his mood: “My weekend is about being the best we can be in the world when we win…or to be honest, I don’t want to see anyone on Monday morning because I’m so tired.”
“I became an Aston Villa fan from the first time I saw them play,” he said, recalling a game against Bolton 26 years ago.
Travis asked if Prince William’s love of football was inherited.
“Did your father put you in Aston Villa or is this yours?” Travis asked.
“Not at all, my father hates football,” replied the prince.
He also warned American hosts about football fan issues.
“Those wild nights, those long afternoons, a few drinks, the social aspects of it. You know, there’s a lot of chants you guys don’t want to hear. They’re too spicy. They’re too polite to broadcast.”
When the prince was asked about the role of the president of the football federation, there were insights into his thinking.
“Just don’t mess around,” said a brief piece of management advice.
Podcasters invited Prince William to name the greatest English players of all time – who he thought would play the Mount Rushmore of football.
William’s list includes Sir David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Sir Bobby Charlton.
“Harry Kane could be one of the greatest English strikers we’ve ever seen,” he said with some prophetic accuracy considering Kane was England’s greatest goalscorer in the next few games.
