Football: Usain Bolt tells Prince William to not raise his son an Aston Villa fan

Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt poses with Robin van Persie of Manchester United after the Premier League against Fulham at Old Trafford last season (Getty Images)

Aston Villa football club last week sent a personalised kit to the newborn son of staunch Villa supporter Prince William and his wife, Duchess Catherine. The shirt had the number ’1’ at the back along with the letters ‘HRH, for ‘His Royal Highness’.

But ace sprinter Usain Bolt, a huge Manchester United fan, is now pleading with Prince William to not raise his son a fan of the Midlands club as he would have to face a lifetime of disappointment.

The Birmingham Mail reported that Bolt, who has relatives in the West Midlands region, said: “The British royal family are great people – and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some of them.

“I want to give all my best to the Prince and Duchess on their firstborn. I just hope he doesn’t follow in his daddy’s footsteps and become an Aston Villa fan. It isn’t fair to put a child through that – especially not a prince.”

The Olympic champion had just finished his participation at the weekend’s Anniversary Games in London. He added that the reigning Premier League champions would be a better team to support for the new-born prince: “When the prince is old enough, I’d love to take him to Old Trafford. It’s only fair he gets to support a winning team.”