TEACHERS at the York Quaker school attended by the daughter of Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray cashed in by betting on the identity of the club's new manager.

Two teachers at Bootham School were among the lucky punters who tipped former Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson to take up the post at the Stadium of Light.

Head teacher Ian Small said he was aware the bets had been laid by staff members because the two concerned - who have not been named - told him.

Mr Murray's daughter is an A-level student at the private school. But Mr Small said he believed that, having spoken to the teachers, the bets on Mr Wilkinson were a coincidence.

In a statement, Mr Murray said it was possible that his children "could have overheard a conversation or a name inadvertently".

Mr Small said: "I do know about this because the members of staff came and told me. I would have to say that, as a Quaker school, we discourage gambling but staff at the school are free to make their own decisions."

Mr Wilkinson's appointment as Sunderland manager - following the sacking of Peter Reid - was announced in a press conference last Thursday, following three days of frenzied betting activity.

Bookmaker William Hill announced it had seen a flurry of bets in its York shops on Mr Wilkinson, who had started as the 66/1 outsider.

Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe revealed that two gamblers raked in £6,600 after placing £100 bets on Mr Wilkinson at 66/1.

York shops took scores of smaller wagers at prices ranging right down to 10/1. The flurry of bets in York, compared with elsewhere in the country, was a mystery to Hill's.

Mr Small added that the two teachers at first feared they had "wasting their money". He said: "Both the teachers placed bets on three long shots, including Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish. I think it is plain coincidence. They are trusted members of staff."

Mr Murray, who lives at Crayke, near Easingwold, said: "For the period of time from Monday evening when the club parted ways with Peter Reid to Thursday morning when Howard Wilkinson was appointed manager I worked only on this matter.

"During this time I worked from home and placed and received a considerable number of phone calls and faxes in connection with this appointment.

"In these circumstances I accept it is possible that my children could have overheard a conversation or name inadvertently and this is regrettable.

"The matter was at the centre of considerable media attention and speculation and whilst my children did not volunteer information, I also accept that some individuals may have tried to interpret their reactions when the matter was discussed in their presence."

Mr Sharpe said: "Everybody who bets does so on what they expect to be inside information.

"If you decide to take bets on a volatile market, you accept you may lose money."

Updated: 14:57 Tuesday, October 15, 2002