Longshot Bet
In 1997 Steve Caldicott of Birmingham placed a bet with William Hill Bookmakers that his son Jack, who was 3½ months old, would score a goal for England in the World Cup final in 2018. If he scores, Steve will win $1.67 million.
Jack is now 19. Any sign that he's a budding soccer star? He's still got two years to go. But, of course, England will also have to make it to the World Cup final.
Jack is now 19. Any sign that he's a budding soccer star? He's still got two years to go. But, of course, England will also have to make it to the World Cup final.
Southern Illinoisan - Jan 16, 1997
Comments
I hope that kid was not raised with this bet being the be all end all of his existence.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 01/15/16 at 10:37 AM
A couple of questions spring to mind; Is the bookie still around and, if so, has he got the $1.6?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 01/15/16 at 11:20 AM
Not like a little incentive to get the kid motivated. Does he get a 50/50 split?
Posted by RobK on 01/15/16 at 11:26 AM
That is the very definition of optimism. But it will only cost daddy a few quid so it's no big loss.
Posted by KDP on 01/15/16 at 03:44 PM
Much better odds than winning the Powerball jackpot.
Posted by GFinKS on 01/18/16 at 12:17 PM
For Jack Caldicott to stand a chance of scoring in the World Cup in 2018, he'd have to be a top-level professional player by now. Who here has heard of him before? Not I, and I live in Europe. He may be playing footer, he may even be a professional, but he's certainly not a national team-level professional. So... no.
Posted by Richard Bos on 01/18/16 at 04:22 PM
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Category: 1990s | Gambling, Casinos, Lotteries and Other Games of Chance