Two punters who made a killing by betting on a Premiership soccer club's new manager were revealed yesterday as teachers of the chairman's daughter.

Sunderland supremo Bob Murray shocked the football world by appointing Howard Wilkinson as the new boss. He was unfancied as a candidate - bookies had him as a rank outsider at 66/1.

But the tutors at York's exclusive Bootham School were able to put in a £100 bet and make a mint.

The football chief yesterday admitted his children could have heard of the appointment because he secured the deal at home.

The school's headteacher, 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: "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 said it had seen a flurry of bets in its York shops on Mr Wilkinson, who had started as the outsider.

Spokesman Graham Sharpe revealed the two gamblers raked in £6,600 after placing £100 bets on Mr Wilkinson at 66/1