David Threlfall

[James]

I have been asked by the biographer of William Hill Ltd, Graham Sharpe, if anyone has any information of the late David Threlfall. David was at the grammar school between 1954-1959 and lived in the Broadgate area of Preston. The reason for the interest is that William Hill still recall the novelty bet David placed in 1964 on man landing on a planet before 1970. In 1969, Hills paid David £10,000 (worth about £170,000 today) on his £10 bet at 1000/1. Graham Sharpe has always been facinated by that bet and payout which was the first novelty taken by Hills and at that time their most expensive payout. Graham told me that he remembered a photo of David at some exotic location drinking champagne. It is believed that David died in a sports car accident soon afterwards and Graham recalled this in his book, although he never had any firm confirmation. Does anyone know what the circumstances were?

Franklyn Jackson