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Gambler wins £28,000 on Cup Final
A gambler from Fareham scooped £28,000 after staking a massive bet on Liverpool winning the FA Cup final at the weekend.
The punter won after placing 84,000 on odds of 1-3 with bookmaker William Hill.
But he had to go through a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday as Liverpool constantly trailed West Ham, before eventually winning on penalties.
The final was full of twists and turns that left the punter, who wishes to stay anonymous, fearing that he may have blown his 84,000. The Hammers took a 2-0 and 3-2 lead during the game, but a 35-yard last-minute strike from midfielder Steven Gerrard kept his hopes alive.
The gambler's nerves would have been shredded during a cagey extra time where both sides seemed to be playing for penalties.
And his heart must have been in his mouth as a last-minute save by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina kept his bet alive.
Thankfully for the punter, Liverpool were the ones to hold their nerves during the tense penalty kicks, making him a very happy – and somewhat richer – man.
William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe admitted that the brave punter had got one over the bookies.
He said: 'We had great hopes of beating these two record-breaking customers when West Ham led on two occasions, but their bravery paid off in the end.
'Hopefully they will give us the chance to get the money back by betting on the World Cup.'
The Fareham punter's stake was the second-biggest bet ever placed on the FA Cup.
Another gambler, from Blackburn, scooped 28,570 after putting a 100,000 stake on Liverpool beating West Ham in the final.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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