The Irish bookmaker backed the Welsh by getting 1,200 sheep to spell out a message of support – reading ‘Sheep > Lions’ – with each letter made up of a whopping 160 sheep.
The marketing stunt also happens to be a Guinness World Record for the largest sheep formation ever assembled.
The Welsh have had an under par World Cup so far, first drawing 1-1 with the United States in the opening game before being beaten 2-0 by Iran in the second. Now, the team’s only chance to qualify for the knockout stages is to beat England; difficult, given England’s status as among the favourites for the tournament.
A Paddy Power spokesman said of the message: “As an Irish brand, we know all about being underdogs at the World Cup. Unlike us, our Celtic cousins have made it to this tournament, and now, on the other side of the world, they face England.
“This is their cup final. They haven’t waited 64 years and travelled all that way to be troubled by a neighbour from back home. We wanted to send a message of support from sheep pen to Rob Page and warn Southgate: Wales are coming to get ewe.”
Meanwhile, former Wales and Tottenham Hotspur player, Cliff Jones, said: “There’s no greater feeling for the Welsh than beating the English, no matter what the sport. It’s so ingrained in our culture, even the sheep know it. This giant message of support from our treasured sheep population will inspire the boys out in Qatar even more.”
