The Tony
12-18-2012, 09:23 AM
Monday 17th December 2012
Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
A life-long Bantams’ fan claims a bookmaker is refusing to pay out after he correctly predicted Bradford’s City’s historic victory against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup quarter finals.
Martin Bennett, 28, says he is still waiting for Coral on Harrogate Road to hand over his 350 winnings after he placed a “crazy” 5 bet on Phil Parkinson’s men holding the Premier League giants to a draw after 90 minutes and then winning on penalties at Valley Parade on Tuesday.
The truck driver told the Telegraph & Argus how his girlfriend went to collect the cash, but says she was told the betting shop had made a “mistake” and was unable to honour the wager.
He is now calling on Coral to pay out, claiming it had “taken the shine” off Bantams’ biggest game in 12 years.
“It was an amazing night – I’d gone to bed with a massive smile on my face knowing we were through to the semi-finals and I had won the money,” he said.
“By the time I’d woken up the next day I’d mentally spending, knowing it would be a weight off my mind with Christmas coming.
“Now it’s been taken away.”
Mr Bennett had a ticket for the club’s biggest game at Valley Parade for 12 years, but was forced to miss it because he was working – so decided to have a flutter at the bookmakers before watching the game at his Greengates home.
His betting slip says he had placed a “double” wager on Bantams’ to be drawing at full time at 3/1 and then win on penalties, with odds of 14/1.
“I’m not a betting man, so I asked the lady at the counter to help me pick the best bet,” he said.
“It wasn’t a normal bet, so she confirmed it with the person who authorises bets and it got the go ahead. I thought it was just a crazy bet, I wasn’t expecting it to come off at all.
“I’d been an emotional wreck during the game and it was an amazing feeling. I’ve been a fan all my life and to get through to the semi finals was unbelievable. The bet made it more exciting. But when my girlfriend went to collect the money they said they had made a mistake and couldn’t honour it – but could pay a single rate of 47. I couldn’t believe it.”
He met with the Coral branch manager, but said that they refused to take any details because Head Office would now be dealing with it.
A Coral spokesman said if he was not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, he could contact their customer care department
Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
A life-long Bantams’ fan claims a bookmaker is refusing to pay out after he correctly predicted Bradford’s City’s historic victory against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup quarter finals.
Martin Bennett, 28, says he is still waiting for Coral on Harrogate Road to hand over his 350 winnings after he placed a “crazy” 5 bet on Phil Parkinson’s men holding the Premier League giants to a draw after 90 minutes and then winning on penalties at Valley Parade on Tuesday.
The truck driver told the Telegraph & Argus how his girlfriend went to collect the cash, but says she was told the betting shop had made a “mistake” and was unable to honour the wager.
He is now calling on Coral to pay out, claiming it had “taken the shine” off Bantams’ biggest game in 12 years.
“It was an amazing night – I’d gone to bed with a massive smile on my face knowing we were through to the semi-finals and I had won the money,” he said.
“By the time I’d woken up the next day I’d mentally spending, knowing it would be a weight off my mind with Christmas coming.
“Now it’s been taken away.”
Mr Bennett had a ticket for the club’s biggest game at Valley Parade for 12 years, but was forced to miss it because he was working – so decided to have a flutter at the bookmakers before watching the game at his Greengates home.
His betting slip says he had placed a “double” wager on Bantams’ to be drawing at full time at 3/1 and then win on penalties, with odds of 14/1.
“I’m not a betting man, so I asked the lady at the counter to help me pick the best bet,” he said.
“It wasn’t a normal bet, so she confirmed it with the person who authorises bets and it got the go ahead. I thought it was just a crazy bet, I wasn’t expecting it to come off at all.
“I’d been an emotional wreck during the game and it was an amazing feeling. I’ve been a fan all my life and to get through to the semi finals was unbelievable. The bet made it more exciting. But when my girlfriend went to collect the money they said they had made a mistake and couldn’t honour it – but could pay a single rate of 47. I couldn’t believe it.”
He met with the Coral branch manager, but said that they refused to take any details because Head Office would now be dealing with it.
A Coral spokesman said if he was not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, he could contact their customer care department