A lifelong Chelsea fan from Hextable is £25,000 better off after betting against his team and backing Leicester City to win the Premiership.

Season ticket holder of 12 years Stewart Saunders was right in the action on Monday night (May 2) when the Chelsea fought back to get a drawer against London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs – successfully quashing their chances of winning the league.

The 44-year-old had, as always, placed a pre-season bet on his team to win – but decided to try his luck with a £10 wager on league leaders Leicester, placed on October 18.

The dad-of-two, who owns SCS Scaffolding in Slade Green’s Darent Industrial Park, told News Shopper: “It’s mad, absolutely mad, and quite funny.

“It pulled off, a lot of people had cashed in the bet – we just rode it out.

News Shopper:

“I thought we were going to finish about five-nil down on Monday.

“The goal at the end was unbelievable, one of the goals of the season. Our crappy season finished good.

“The last game of the season’s against Leicester, so my friend’s going to lend me his Leicester City shirt.

“You couldn’t have scripted it better. If someone doesn’t make a film on it...

“I always back Chelsea, never bet against them. The thing with Leicester was they had such a good run.

“I know Ranieri is brilliant, I couldn’t believe the odds they were giving. Leicester were the top of the Premiership. The odds they were giving were ridiculous.”

News Shopper:

Stewert celebrating with his brother and business partner Simon

Mr Saunders, who has a 12-year-old son called Cain and a 10-year-old daughter called Georgia, made a sign praising Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri in anticipation of his big win.

It reads: “Ranieri – I love you!! This Chelsea fan is 25K better off. My wife luvs you more. Well done!”

The joker added: “I was on Sky Sports 1 last night, because I had the sign up.

“I said to my son ‘I will see you on the tele later’. It was great, really cool. I have had people calling me all day.

News Shopper:

© Sky Sports

“My family sent me a video of them going mad. I definitely think a holiday’s in order.

“I didn’t think I was going to happen so I haven’t made any plans for it. I have told my kids they can have £1,000 each.

“Cain is a little footballer, he is absolutely buzzing. He has got no choice (about supporting Chelsea).

“He might be a bit of a Leicester fan, but we all are now.”

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