As if any further proof that all sectors of society enjoy a night out at the local bingo club was needed, Manchester United star player Harry Maguire was recently seen playing bingo at a Haven Holiday Park in north Wales.
While some go to play bingo, dreaming of the money, most just go to have fun, and there is no doubt that Maguire fits into the second category. The Manchester United defender earns an incredible £190,000 a week and is thought to be worth a massive £18 million, far more than anyone has ever won playing bingo. Incidentally, a three-night stay for a family of four at Haven costs only £319.
This isn’t the first time a top-tier footballer has been spotted enjoying bingo. We recently shared about Jonas Gutierrez joined for a game of bingo at Newcastle pub.
According to Jenny Holt, who was holidaying at the park, she first noticed Maguire’s younger brother Laurance, who is also a professional footballer and plays for League Two side MK Dons. The Premier League star, who is 31 years old, then arrived to spend some time relaxing with family after he played for 79 minutes in Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton over the weekend.
Speaking afterwards, Jenny, who comes from Stoke-on-Trent, said:
“We were offered free drinks all around which we found strange thinking it was just a special birthday or something until we saw what looked like Harry Maguire’s family. We originally were aware of some VIP guests when we were approached by Haven staff and asked if we could move our seats during the evening entertainment, as the ones we were sat at were reserved. Unbeknownst to us, for the Maguire family.”
The next day, Jenny, 32, together with her 10-year-old son Laylan and her 15-year-old daughter Emily, were completely starstruck. She said that at around 8:30 pm, Maguire walked into the live lounge at Haven with security. She said that “kids were jumping up and down with excitement and the whole atmosphere changed.”
Jenny added that her son and her friend’s son were both “ecstatic” as they are massive Manchester United fans and that Maguire is their favourite player. She added, “we just could not believe our eyes”.
Jenny explained that there was a group of children “waiting excitedly” behind the player for the chance of asking for a photo and said that security asked them to wait respectfully so that the footballer could enjoy the entertainment.
Eventually, her son and daughter went up to Laurence, who then asked Maguire to sign her son’s top using his bingo dabber.
Describing the evening, Jenny said:
“Laurence was up dancing with the children, it was strange because we were sharing a dance floor with the likes of the Maguire family. It was surreal and it really made everyone’s night! Only a few managed to get photos, as he was there with his family, so we are very grateful and lucky. We’re just a normal family, with a little boy who plays in defence and looks up to Maguire as an inspiration. It’s definitely a memory we can all treasure.”
This is not the first time that Maguire has been seen enjoying bingo or other by his standards, cheap entertainment. He was once seen outside an ice cream parlour in Mablethorpe, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, and he agreed to pose for selfies with fans.
He will have found plenty to do at the Haven holiday camp. In addition to bingo, visitors can also enjoy a heated indoor pool and outdoor lazy river. There is an aerial adventure assault course, bungee trampolines, and climbing walls. Those who prefer something less physical can enjoy adventure golf, while thrill seekers are sure to enjoy the jump tower. The area is also home to miles of sandy beaches and beautiful nature.