Winning bet ‘the icing on the cake’ for Leicester fan

Winning a £20,000 (€25,300) drunken bet on Leicester City’s Premier League victory was the “icing on the cake” for one lucky fan.

Leigh Herbert, from Enderby, south Leicester, placed a £5 stake on his team winning at odds of 5000/1 in August last year.

After the Foxes secured the title when Chelsea drew with Tottenham on Sunday, the 39-year-old bagged £20,600.

“It has really not sunk in, I know it has happened but I still have this nervous feeling going around in my stomach,” said the carpenter.

“I thought they would do well but not in my wildest dreams did I think they would be two games from the end of the season and be Premier League champions.”

Mr Herbert said he cashed out £2 of his bet just over a month ago, taking home £5,600, because it “all got a bit much” — but he has now won a further £15,000.

He said he will spend some of the “life-changing amount” on a party and will save the rest for a deposit on a house.

“In a way I am so glad it is over because I can just relax again,” said Mr Herbert, who has not watched Leicester’s last few games because of the emotional toll.

“This last month it has been so hard. Because you are being given the cash out option, if it went wrong I would have lost all the money.”

A Leicester fan for more than 25 years, he said he never lost faith in his team and is looking forward to seeing them lift the trophy.

He added: “I am more than happy with what I have got, I am more than happy that Leicester have won the Premier League — winning the money is just the icing on the cake.

“You could spend £20,000 in a day if you really wanted to, but I am never ever going to forget Leicester winning the league.”