Mistaken Leicester City bet scoops windfall for firefighters
Two firefighters who unwittingly staked a tenner on Leicester City winning the Premier League have landed a £20,000 windfall.
Jordan Wright and Mitchell Baldock laid down £5 each last August on Leicester to win the title at odds of 2,000/1 - but thought they were betting on the Foxes to beat Sunderland in the opening match of the season.
The pair's apparent blunder was mocked at the time by work colleagues, but earned them £10,000 each last month - when bookie Betfred opted to pay out early on Leicester's title win.
Leicester City shocked the world by becoming Premier League champions
Chelsea fan Mr Wright only placed the wager because he thought Betfred had mistakenly offered 2,000/1 on Leicester to beat Sunderland at the King Power Stadium on August 8.
The 23-year-old firefighter was so amazed he persuaded his friend to also risk a £5 flutter.
Arsenal fan Mr Baldock, 25, said: "I got Jordan to give betting on football a go and basically he misread the bookies' website.
"It was too good an opportunity so I got a fiver on as well."
Mr Wright, who like Mr Baldock lives in Thurrock and is based in east London, said of Leicester's fairytale triumph: "Everyone loves an underdog so it was nice to see them win.
"It was when they won 3-1 against Manchester City - that's when I started thinking we had a real chance of winning."
Betfred owner Fred Done commented: "Good luck to Mitchell and Jordan - we have never paid out so much to two fellas who have put a bet on by mistake.
"I'm glad this caused much merriment at the London Fire Brigade."
