BRITAIN’S richest gypsy bought a football club for £15million – and he actually hates footie.
Alfie Best, has a net worth of £740million and his wealth has got him a fleet of supercars, a personalised Aston Martin helicopter worth £4.5m and East Thurrock FC.
The savvy businessman told The Sun Online: “I’m not a football fan at all – I’m a boxing fan. The club was in difficulty – as a lot of clubs are. And it’s important to give back to the community.
Pumping so much money into a football club when you don’t even like the sport may seem an odd decision but Alfie saw it as a good business investment.
Alfie said: “We invested in the club, and now it supports itself.”
His total investment in the club will hit a whopping £15million if he gets planning permission for a new football ground.
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Should everything work out as hoped, Alfie is set to become the world’s first gypsy billionaire as early as next year.
His colossal wealth is thanks to his residential park homes empire Wyldecrest Parks, which made a profit of £32m last year alone – and the year before that, it made £29m.
However, he had to put in the hard graft to earn his wealth as he was brought up on the living in a caravan on a lay-by with an outdoor camp fire as a stove.
He did share his tips for success even though he claimed not to be a “gifted person”.
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Alfie said: “Persistence and hard work has allowed me to conquer each step of success. Am I successful? Absolutely not. Success is a journey.
“My top tips. Start, start, start. Be consistent and persistent and believe in what you’re doing.
“Make sure that you are your best customer. Because if you’re not, how can you expect any other customer to be.
“Never give up. I’m still working like I’m bankrupt. I’m working like it all ends tomorrow.”
Alfie did though hit out at the prejudicies faced by gypsies which he said still bothered him.
He said: “I’m judged on every business decision that I make. And worst of all, I’m judged on what every other gypsy has ever done in their life.
“Being a gypsy comes with a stigma: ‘Gypsies, tramps thieves and liars’. And that’s a bar I have to get over.
“I never told anyone I was a gypsy until I was 35. I never ever ever did. Why would you? It comes with a detriment.
“That prejudice exists every day. It only matters if you allow those prejudices to enter into your every day life.
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“If that’s someone’s view, don’t change it. Just be the better person. Being the better person in anything you do will always shine through.
“Why try to change a bigot’s mind. Carry on with your path, be successful in your path. Success conquers all.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
