Lucky Reds fan wins signed football at the Liverpool Pavilion
On the day that Liverpool Football Club unveiled Roy Hodgson as their new manager, the Liverpool city pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai kicked off their ‘Culture, Health and Sport’ month by holding a special football day.
All visitors to the Pavilion who were wearing a Liverpool or Everton club shirt were entered into a prize draw to win a signed LFC football, as well as avoid the ever-increasing queues of people looking to enjoy the most popular city pavilion at the six-month event.
And following a media campaign in the days leading up to the prize draw, Liverpool’s pavilion was swamped with football fans from the moment the doors opened.
At 5pm, Chang Zhi Chao, a 20-year-old student from Shanghai was drawn as the winner in front of a huge crowd of Liverpool FC fans, but unfortunately he was nowhere to be found. He was telephoned and given 15 minutes to return or there would be a re-draw.
Mr Chang, whose favourite Reds’ player is Steven Gerrard, said: “I hadn’t even been to the Expo before today, but when I found out about the chance to win a ball signed by the players of my favourite team I had to visit, and I am so glad I did, although I nearly missed picking the ball up.
“I’ve never been to Liverpool before, but if I ever get the chance I would love to visit Anfield and see Liverpool play, preferably against Manchester United.”
He added: “The Liverpool Pavilion is excellent and I will be coming back with lots of my friends as soon as the university holidays begin next week.”
Oliver Hayakawa, Pavilion Director, said: “We were really pleasantly surprised at the size of the turn out and really pleased that a genuine Liverpool fan won the ball.
“It was touch and go while we waited for Mr Chang to return and lots of other fans were hoping he wouldn’t make it in time, but he ran in with three minutes to spare. It was very exciting.
“This is the first time we have done something like this, but I think there will be a more opportunities during the next few months, possibly for a signed Liverpool FC shirt.”
Liverpool is the only UK city to have a dedicated presence at the World Expo. Its participation is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership.
The event is regarded in Liverpool as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to consolidate existing and forge new relationships in the world’s emerging markets and to showcase Liverpool’s track record of urban regeneration under the Expo theme of Better City, Better Life.
Notes to editors:
For further information please contact Jonathan Caswell at Liverpool Vision on 0151 600 2946 or via email: jcaswell@liverpoolvision.co.uk
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