Northern bookmaker Fred Done has obviously never heard of the saying "once bitten, twice shy," writes Steve Davies.
For the second time in three seasons, United diehard Done has agreed to pay out on his beloved Reds three months before the campaign is over - risking a loss of around £200,000.
Yesterday there was a steady stream of customers going into his 220 shops to collect on United, but Done proclaimed: "I couldn't be more confident. Nobody is going to topple my team."
But then Done said exactly the same in February 1998 and it cost him £50,000.
That was when fearless Fred hit the publicity jackpot by deciding that after Alex Ferguson's side had stormed 12 points clear at the top, he would pay out early on all
singles placed on United for the title.
But having kept the book open on the rest, he then watched in horror as Arsenal stormed up on the rails to pinch the crown and empty Done's tills.
Now he has chanced his arm with United only six points ahead of the rest, but he doesn't anticipate lightning striking twice.
"Arsene Wenger has thrown in the towel and neither Liverpool nor Leeds look like stringing any sort of run together," said Done, who had been going 5-4 his team at the start of the season. "United won't blow it again.
"I got filled in good and proper before but I go and see the Reds every week and I can't see myself coming unstuck again."
Despite risking so much, Done is still prepared to be taken on.
He goes 8-1 Arsenal, the same price Leeds and 28-1 Liverpool to overhaul
United, and adds: "I'm not going to bottle it over the other teams and I won't be losing any sleep on it."
He has also installed United as 6-4 favourites for next season's Premiership. by Racing Post 10/02/2000 BACK TO TOP ^ |
