CAN ENGLAND GO THE WHOLE HOG?
PSYCHIC PIG PREDICTS A COLOMBIA VICTORY OVER ENGLAND
He’s brought home the bacon three times on the trot by correctly forecasting the outcome of all of England’s World Cup group games
But swill Big Bob the Psychic Sunderland Pig predict a Three Lions victory against Colombia tonight now that the knock-out stages are under way?
Big Bob, a popular pet pig at Down at the Farm, near Houghton, prophesied England’s wins over Tunisia and Panama as well as last Thursday’s defeat against Belgium.
On each occasion, he was released from his pen and asked to choose his favourite sow rolls from one of three bowls.
Hidden from his view, on the other side of the bowls, were labels marked “win”, “lose” or “draw”.
With one team eventually having to win in tonight’s last 16 clash, we narrowed Big Bob’s choice down to just “win” or “lose” for the Colombia clash. After reluctantly foretelling Belgium’s triumph – he ran away from the bowls before owner William Weightman coaxed him back to make a choice – we also decked him out in an Engsuggests land scarf in the hope that it would persuade him to back Gareth Southgate’s team.
Unfortunately, however, the 11-year-old Maori pig hesitated between the bowls before plumping for the South American outsiders.
Disappointed England and Sunderland fan Mr Weightman, 44, who owns Down at the Farm with wife Catherine, also 44, said: “Fingers crossed he’s got this one wrong.
“The fact he hesitated that it could go all the way to extra time and maybe even another penalty shoot-out defeat.
“Mind, he’s got some mates here from South America, the Alpacas, who might not be too unhappy.”
Big Bob was chosen for the role because he is the first at the farm to sense when it is mealtime.
The farm also has form for predicting football results after his pal, Silver the Donkey, started to forecast Sunderland’s run of six successive derby victories over rivals Newcastle United in 2013.
We can only hope Big Bob’s winning streak comes to a halt tonight and that England’s World Cup dreams are not yet again over and snout.
Down at the Farm, off the A690, in Stoneygate Lane, near Houghton, is open 10pm-5pm at weekends and during school holidays.
It is also available Tuesdays-Thursdays during term time for advance school bookings. Further details are available at www.downatthefarm.co.uk/.
“He’s got mates here from South America, the Alpacas” WILLIAM WEIGHTMAN