After Manchester City fan John Howarth was left quids in by a Mo Salah goal he decided to treat his wife, Lisa. But he didn't have jewellery, a holiday in the sun, or a meal at a top restaurant in mind.
John, 58, has a bet on the Blues winning 4-1 with whoever the star striker is at the time – be it Uwe Rosler, Sergio Aguero or Erling Haaland – to open the scoring as his regular punt. But for the first time he broke his routine for the Liverpool game at the Etihad.
He put £5.25 on Salah to score first with City winning 4-1 at 225/1. He won £1,186 at Betfred. The father of three from Moston has been quick to treat Lisa with some of his windfall - he has bought her a brand new lawnmower.
“It’s a cordless one that’s cost me £400,” said John. The upholstery company manager added: “Never, ever would I bet against my own team, but I just knew Salah would score for them. He has a good record against us so went for him to open the scoring. I wasn't happy when he did.
“I’ve been a City supporter all my life, since the Maine Road days, and my son Charlie, who was at the game on Saturday, is a season ticket holder at the Etihad. I was at our caravan in Wales watching the game at the weekend and I phoned him afterwards to tell him about the win.
“As well as never usually picking an opposition player to score first, I never go to the toilet during a game. That’s because when we beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford a few years ago, I went to the toilet when we were 4-1 up and was set to win £2,500 on Mario Balotelli opening the scoring and my usual scoreline bet. When I returned it was 6-1, so I’ll never go to the toilet until the final whistle!”
Betfred boss, and lifelong Manchester United fan, Fred Done said: “I’ve got mixed feelings about this one. I don’t mind paying out of course, as it’s part of the job, but to a City fan? Having said that, it was great to see Liverpool beat, so life's not too bad.
“It’s fantastic that this lucky punters wife Lisa benefits too with a new lawnmower… I’d have loved to have seen her face when that was presented to her!”
