‘I’m on my greatest behaviour!’ Prince William declines a Cornish cider on go to to youth soccer membership
The Prince of Wales declined a cider – stating that he was ‘on his best behaviour’ – as he met excited young football fans at the local Cornish club he helped make more accessible this afternoon.
William, 43, looked just as happy to chat with budding sports enthusiasts at Mousehole Association Football Club (AFC), just outside Penzance, as he had been to score a penalty at Rio de Janerio’s most famous stadium two weeks ago – but decided it was a no-go for the local delicacy.
‘I’m not going to have a cider at this time of the day,’ he laughed, speaking to CornwallLive. ‘I’d better not.’
The royal was visiting because he had championed initiatives to fix the nearby ‘pothole-ridden’ access road, hence making it easier to get involved with the game.
For years, those wanting to take part in the tiny regional club could only do so through a narrow cavity-filled lane through the village.
It has lead to traffic issues, damaged vehicles, and logistical headaches for visiting teams and supporters.
Ex-football manager Neil Warnock was on hand to welcome the Prince, who later met with young players and heard of their impressive performance against the visitors – a jaw dropping 13-0.
‘If you win 13-0 you’re going to go a long way,’ he told the group. ‘If you’re enjoying it that’s main thing.’
The royal, 43, championed initiatives to fix the nearby ‘pothole-ridden’ access road, hence making it easier to get involved with the game. Pictured with the youth team
The Prince of Wales looked just as happy to score a penalty at Rio de Janerio’s most famous stadium as he was visiting a rainy grass pitch in Cornwall today
The future king beamed as he met excited young football fans at the local club he helped make more accessible
The royal – who is known as the Duke of Cornwall while in the country – even got a chance to speak to the contractors who had worked on fixing up the lane, and thanked them.
‘I really appreciate what you have done for the club and the community,’ he shared. ‘It’s in a grey area, it’s hard for the club to get funding.’
Speaking to local media, visitors were wowed by William’s commitment to improving the club.
‘It was fantastic,’ Penzance mayor Stephen Reynolds shared. ‘It’s brilliant that last week he was in Brazil for the COP and today he’s at Trungle Parc, home of Mousehole football club in proper Cornish mizzle.’
Elsewhere, the club’s Simon Taylor found the prince ‘keen, enthused and so passionate’.
‘You can tell he loves his football,’ he gushed. ‘What he did on the pitch with the players and the youngsters is incredible. The way he talked to the contractors who helped make the new road happen was brilliant. It was like he knew all about it. Which is remarkable. I am a very happy man today.’
Known football fan and Aston Villa supporter William has had a busy last few weeks, and was juggling events in Brazil before flying back over for Remembrance Sunday.
Kicking off this month, it had been hugs and high-fives all round as the Prince celebrated scoring a penalty in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium during his visit to the South American nation.
For years, those wanting to get involved with the tiny regional club could only do so through a narrow cavity-filled lane through the village. William pictured speaking with young players
It has lead to traffic issues, damaged vehicles, and logistical headaches for visiting teams and supporters. The royal chatted with young fans
William was in high spirits as he met well-wishers during his visit to Mousehole AFC, where he opened a new access road to the club’s ground and facilities
The Prince was given a tour of the grounds as he enjoyed hearing about the local club’s performance
The future King was delighted as he made his visit to the local Cornish club this afternoon (pictured)
William was happy to see that everyone had their scarves on as he visited the local club this afternoon
The Prince of Wales – known as the Duke of Cornwall while in the county – spoke with members of the consortium who built the new road
William initiated the creation of a consortium of people and businesses to create the road, which has transformed access to the club
The royal was joined by Brazil legend Cafu for the visit to one of football’s most iconic venues, where they met children learning about the environment and climate change through sport-based organisation Terra FC.
When the future King first arrived pitch side he met a group of volunteers from the project using football to connect with young people, and asked them: ‘My team’s Aston Villa, have you heard of them? You don’t have to say yes.’
There, the Prince – sporting trendy white £179 sustainable trainers by Portuguese company Mr Marvis – and former Brazil defender Cafu played against each other in a three-a-side match testing the skills of the schoolboys from across Rio.
Cafu led his side to a 3-2 victory over William and his teammates but the Prince quickly moved on to join a training session with a group of young girls holding cups of water as they dribbled, in a bid to improve their balance by not spilling the liquid.
William ended his football drills by taking a penalty against goalie Pedro Enrique, 14, as his teammates chanted his name.
When he scored he was mobbed by youngsters wanting a high-five.
The 14-year-old goalie said afterwards: ‘I was scared and nervous but very excited as he was the most famous person to take a penalty kick.
‘I didn’t let him score. It was a good penalty.’
