This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On October 2020, a Manchester United fan from Bradford placed a massive £55,000 bet on Liverpool winning the Premier League at odds of 4/6.
At the time, the fan, Tony Ward, was 55 years old and had inherited the money from his mother, Rose, who passed away in 2017.
Ward had to endure a nervous wait during the coronavirus lockdown, but once football resumed, it didn't take long for Liverpool to be confirmed as champions after Chelsea's win over Manchester City on June 25.
Ward collected an eyewatering £91,000, including his stake, from Ladbrokes, and is now planning a holiday abroad before saving the rest.
Speaking to The Sun, Ward said: “Liverpool were always looking like they could win the title. I picked them after a long, long debate.
“I would have got my stake back, I think, if the season had been cancelled. But that would have been unfair. Liverpool were that far clear. They only needed six points.
“I fancy a big holiday. The rest is for a rainy day.”
Ward also insisted his mother would have approved of his risky bet, adding: “She wouldn’t have minded what I did with the money — not at all. She liked a flutter! She liked the horses. But I’d give it all back to have my mum still around.”
