Carpet fitter has nailed Foxes bet!

Leicester City fan John Sharman this week won more than £20,000 from a modest £7.50 each way bet on Leicester City to win the Premiership.
John Sharman of Desborough has won more than £20,000 after Leicester won the Premier League. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERJohn Sharman of Desborough has won more than £20,000 after Leicester won the Premier League. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
John Sharman of Desborough has won more than £20,000 after Leicester won the Premier League. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

And the delighted carpet fitter (55) said: “The latest couple of games have been nervy.

“But it wasn’t a big bet, so generally it’s made a great season even more fun for me.”

John, from Desborough, has put a modest bet on City to win the league they’re in every year for “at least 20 years”.

This season he manged to get 2,000-1 on City to win the Premiership - generous odds because the club only just avoided relegation last season.

City’s Premiership win was confirmed on Monday night when Spurs, the only club left that could have overtaken them, fell short with a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

As John joined City fans in Leicester, Leicestershire and around the world celebrating a remarkable season, he was also thinking about what he’d do with his winnings.

“I’m going to buy myself a nice new work van and have a holiday” he said.

“And the rest is going into the bank, so I can forget about it until there’s a rainy day.”

So who does he think has been Leicester City’s key man this season?

“Well Vardy and Mahrez have been fantastic, but it’s definitely been a team effort” he said. “The key to this Leicester team is that they play so well together.”

And manager Claudio Ranieri?

“I wasn’t too sure when he first turned up, but he’s been brilliant, and his good nature coming out is really why everyone’s been backing Leicester.

“I should also say I think Nigel Pearson (the previous City manager) put down the roots for this team.”

John said he has turned down offers up to £10,000 for his betting slip.

And next season? “I’ll be backing City to win the Premiership again - and the Champions League!”