Man wanted Harry Maguire riding unicorn on £50, disappointed it’s Alan Turing
Harry Maguire riding an inflatable unicorn design for £50 note. (Change.org)
The man who led a campaign to have England defender Harry Maguire riding an inflatable unicorn on the new £50 note has jokingly said it was a “huge disappointment” that Alan Turing was chosen.
Jonny Sharples started a petition on change.org to have the professional footballer become the face of the note after the image was posted on Twitter by Maguire’s teammate Jesse Lingard last year. The petition has, to date, more than 50,000 signatures.
Recovery day, don’t worry @youngy18 , I’ve got you ? ? #JLingzPhotography pic.twitter.com/Lqn4zRNEwz
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) June 19, 2018
Sharples told Indy100: “Obviously it’s a huge disappointment, for myself and no doubt for both Harry and the inflatable unicorn as well, to have missed out on a place on the £50 note.
The England team riding inflatable unicorns. (JesseLingard/ Twitter)
“Over 50,000 people signed the initial petition back in October so I believed Harry and the unicorn were in with a good chance despite the frankly draconian selection criteria such as ‘must have contributed to the field of science’, ‘must be deceased’ and ‘can’t be an inflatable unicorn’.
“Perhaps they were too fearful of facing a backlash from the 50,000 signatories. Perhaps they were too busy regulating banks and setting the interest rate. Who can say for sure?”
The petition to have Harry Maguire riding a unicorn on the note has over 50,000 signatures
The Bank of England announced yesterday (July 16) that gay Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing will be the face of the new £50 note.
The requirements for nominations included that the person must have been a scientist and must no longer be alive.
Sharples wrote on the page for the petition: “None of these notes so far have featured a World Cup semi finalist floating on a mythical creature, and in the interests of football’s attempts to come home, who would be more appropriate to feature than Harry Maguire riding an inflatable unicorn?”
Contributors commented on the petition, with one saying: “I can’t think of a more apt image to symbolise both the old and new British values. I imagine he must be next in line for the throne anyway.”
Margaret Thatcher was also nominated to be on the note.
Another commenter said: “I’d rather have this dude on a unicorn than Thatcher.”
“I’d rather have this dude on a unicorn than thatcher.”
“I want Harry Maguire on the new £50 note rather than any politician who messed up the country,” said another.
“I want Harry Maguire on the new £50 note rather than any politician who messed up the Country.”
