Frank Christian
For the last twenty years, Prince William has showcased his passion for football through his support and involvement in various football-related initiatives.
The British Royal Family has always engaged in sports, but Prince William has a particular fondness for football, appreciating the sense of community and excitement it brings.
Having served as the president of the Football Association since 2006, he took on the role from the Duke of York and has contributed significantly during his tenure.
This article explores the origins of Prince William’s football enthusiasm and his contributions through his position at the Football Association.
Which club does Prince William cheer for?
While many Royals back clubs in London such as Arsenal, Prince William is an outspoken supporter of Aston Villa, located in Birmingham.
He has frequently attended matches at Villa Park over the years, despite his family’s differing allegiances; his father supports Burnley and his brother reportedly favors Arsenal.
Currently, Villa is experiencing a resurgence under coach Unai Emery, and Prince William was present to witness Jhon Duran score a famous victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on October 2.
WITNESS: Prince William cheered on Aston Villa’s historic win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League pic.twitter.com/4ZWQTEzjed
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 2, 2024
What motivates Prince William’s support for Aston Villa?
During a 2015 BBC interview, ahead of Villa’s FA Cup final against Arsenal, Prince William shared his reasons for supporting the team.
“Long ago at school, I embraced football, while my friends were loyal to Chelsea or Manchester United. I wanted to root for a less mainstream team,” he explained.
“I was looking for a club that offered emotional highs and lows. Aston Villa boasts a rich history.”
Indeed, he got his wish as Villa has provided fans with a range of ups and downs in recent years, though sadly, they lost the 2015 final 4-0 to Arsenal.
Prince William’s appearances at football events
Recently, Prince William was seen at Villa Park for the Champions League showdown against Bayern. He has also attended numerous Premier League matches, sometimes accompanied by his son, Prince George.
As president of the FA, he is a familiar face at FA Cup finals, where he meets players before the game and presents the trophy to the winning captain. Since 2006, he has only missed one final, which was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, he inaugurated St George’s Park, a training facility for the England national teams, and is actively involved in promoting grassroots football.
