A PUNTER who was minutes away from winning a massive £187,922.10 for just £1 last weekend before his hopes were dashed by Wilfried Bony’s 90th-minute winner for Swansea against Manchester United proved there were no hard feelings when he came face to face with the striker this week.
Kevin Wint, a 31-year-old factory worker from Newtoft, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, had correctly predicted the outcome of 14 FA Cup matches, and would have scooped the Coral Football Jackpot had the game at Old Trafford ended in a draw, an outcome that was on the cards until Bony scored his late, late winner.
However, there was still some good news for Wint as he did win £12,264.10 as a consolation for getting 14 out of 15 correct and the Arsenal fan proved there were no hard feelings after Coral arranged for him to meet the Ivorian international at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium where the pair laughed and joked about one of the most costly headers Bony is likely to score.
Kevin said: “I knew I was in the running to win £187,000 and the final match at Old Trafford seemed to last forever. When Wilfried headed home I knew the money was lost, although winning more than £12,000 has meant my girlfriend Samantha and I could clear our debts so we can still look forward to a great 2014.
“Coral are giving me a VIP day out at the Manchester United v Swansea Premier League match this weekend and then they asked me if I would like to meet Wilfried and I jumped at the chance, although I think he may have been a bit nervous about what I would say!
“He was a great sport, he did say sorry, he was only doing his job and I told him not to worry, although I did tell him not to do the same when Swansea next play Arsenal!”
Coral spokesman David Stevens said: “Kevin came so close to winning the jackpot for just £1 and although Wilfried Bony’s winner cost him £175,000 he took it really well and jumped at the chance to meet the Swansea striker. We didn’t even have to keep them apart!”
Due to Kevin failing to land the jackpot amount this weekend’s prize is predicted to be in excess of £250,000. Coral are also going industry top price on Bony to score first, last and at anytime v Man United.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I’m never in coral but I will be tomorrow to have a go on it, never even heard of it tbh, talk about great publicity.
Mr Kop, I’ve done a couple of lucky dips – probably the only way to get 15 out of 15.
Great gesture from coral
Nizzy, and great restraint from the punter. Mind you £12k isn’t a bad consolation.
12k is nothing compared to a life changing 187k and to meet Bony is nothing but a kick in the baws whats the point in a vip day out at Man Utd – Swansea when he is an arsenal man so unlucky from a quid
Let’s all be honest, 12 grand is enough for anyone. 187,000 is life changing but if that’s not to be, 12 grand will do just fine
Phil, any of us would take £12k today, let’s be honest. Right, I’m off.
Think the issue is that the goal was scored so late in the game he was so close to the full amount. Heartbreaking, but great to see how he has taken this – admire him immensely and a little jealous of his selection prowess!
Sounds like the 12k ‘consolation’ monies was needed and wish him well enjoying it.
– Lucky if I can find a selection to put up on the SS thread, let alone enough to strike with an accumulator.
However, let’s hope some of us can do exactly that with this weekends games.
Happy punting.
With the Man U game being the last game on the coupon, he could have assured himself a bigger payout by laying the draw in that last game.
Great story ! Feel for the guy but hey 12 k for a quid is dead on in anyone’s language ! :)
Probably would have needed a loan to get that sort of money right enough to get enough to lay the amount he would have required ha ha
Chris m, all he had to do was ask Coral to cover it – and they would have done so then taken it off his winnings.
Swap u for tonight’s lottery numbers son? :)
I have done this Coral Jackpot coupon many times before, the best way of doing it is to do at least half of the matches as bankers, for example team news, and Arsenal at home, Liverpool and Man City. I would not touch Man Utd at the moment.
Then if you have a few quid spare, cover some of the other teams as double chance eg 1X, or X2. This is the best way of winning it or getting 13 or 14 out of 15 for the consolation prizes.
It gives your self a better chance.