pick a winner

or even a draw.........

?580,820.92 Winner!

The 38-year-old from Kingston, Surrey staked a ?90 accumulator bet on eight football games on Saturday.
Instead of backing the teams to win, the fortunate fryer decided to gamble on each of the results being a draw.

And he thought he'd cashed in his chips when two of the selections were losing with only seconds to go.

But when one of them grabbed a last minute penalty and the other equalised in the third minute of injury time he was in clover.

The mystery man, who has asked not to be named, told the Sun: "I had the slip in my hand watching the results come in on the telly and very nearly tore it up.

"Northampton were 1-0 down in injury time and Notts County were 2-0 down with five minutes to go. I really thought I'd blown it

"But I perked up when County got one back and I couldn't believe me eyes when it flashed up on the screen that they'd equalised.

"Then Northampton scored with literally the last kick of the match - it was as if I was dreaming.

"My mates have always joked that I'd batter the bookies one day - and it looks like they're right!

Notts County, managed by Gudjon Thoradarson, were 2-0 down with five minutes to go but got one back through Daniel Martin and a last minute penalty from Julien Baudat.

And Northampton Town, who were promoted to League One, denied rivals Grimsby automatic promotion thanks to an injury time strike by Sean Dyche.

The canny chip shop owner popped out from his busy shop in Kingston Surrey to put on the bet at Ladbrokes at their shop on Richmond Road in the town - with just 10 minutes until kick-off.

His bet was made up of 20pTrebles, 20p Fourfolds, 25p Fivefolds, 50p Sixfolds,?1 Sevenfolds,and a ?28.80 accumulator on eight separate drawn results.

The teams he picked were Blackpool at 11/5, Bournemouth at 12/5, Rotherham at 5/2, Yeovil at 9/4, Grimsby at 5/2, Lincoln at 11/4, Notts County at 11/5 and Stockport at 12/5.

The bet returned the married family man exactly ?580,820.92 and is the largest ever on lower league football in Ladbrokes' 120 year history.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "Our odds compilers were choking on their chips - talk about being stitched up like a kipper!

"It's hard enough picking the winners let alone the ones that are going to draw - so good luck to the guy.

"I've never heard of anyone picking so much cash on eight straight draws - it's easily the biggest this firm has ever had."

The chip shop owner added: "Most people go for home wins or away wins but you quite often get better odds on the draw - particularly at a bookmakers rather than on the pools.

"There were so many teams with something to play for that I thought they'd cancel each other out and fortunately they did.

"I'm not sure what I'll spend the money on as I've not told my wife yet - I'm sure she'll have plenty of plans!

"There's certainly a couple of footballers that I owe a drink to at the very least. They can have free fish and chips whenever they like!"

HOT STUFF - THE MYSTERY MAN'S DISHY DRAWS

Blackpool 3-3 Gillingham 11/5
Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford 12/5
Rotherham 0-0 MK Dons 5/2
Yeovil 0-0 Colchester 9/4
Grimsby 1-1 Northampton 5/2
Lincoln 1-1 Rochdale 11/4
Notts County 2-2 Bury 11/5
Stockport 0-0 Carlisle 12/5

Posted By: Simon A, May 12, 12:39:01