SCORES of Blackburn Rovers fans have cashed in on their superstar striker’s goal-laden start to the season.
Some supporters have won as much as £10,000 thanks to Ben Brereton Diaz who has already bagged 10 goals in the opening two months of the campaign.
One fan says the winnings have helped to buy his children’s Christmas presents, while another hopes to make it to the Qatar 2022 World Cup thanks to the attacker’s scintillating start to the season.
Brereton Diaz has become somewhat of a cult sensation since pledging his international allegiance to Chile, the birthplace of his mother, in the summer.
Fans took advantage of odds of up to 1000/1 on him scoring 20 or more league goals for Rovers this season after starring for Chile in the Copa America.
Betting company SkyBet offered fans the chance to cash in half of their potential winnings after Brereton scored his 10th goal of the season away to Blackpool at the weekend.
And while the fixture ended in defeat for Rovers, Brereton’s goal still offered reasons to celebrate.
Lifelong Rovers fan Mark Bryce-Bee, 38, bagged just over £10,000 with his early cash out, saying he had originally placed his bet as a bit of fun at the start of the season.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph he said: “A mate in one of my WhatsApp groups found it and let us know about it, I just thought it looked like ridiculous odds for a striker to score 20 goals in a season. Especially after Brereton had been away with Chile for the summer and had found a new level of confidence. Plus the fun aspect of something to track during the season too as I very rarely bet.
“I expected him to get around 12-15 in all honesty so to get 10 in 11 games is incredible, and something I don't think the bookies were expecting!”
The graphic designer, who now lives in Congleton, said he hopes to take some nice holidays over the next year with his winnings.
Ben Gooder, who also won 10k, said he remains confident Brereton will go on to score 20 goals this season if he manages to stay fit and with the club. He added: “The cash out offer was too good since the clocks haven’t even gone back yet.”
Another fan, who cashed out for £2,500, said he went straight to Smyths toy shop to buy his kid’s Christmas presents.
Blackburn fan Brian Sultana was also a winner. He said: "He’s turned into a proper cult hero now. He’s up there with Simon Garner and Tugay. I Really hope his good fortune continues and he and Rovers find some success.
"The glory days of Walker and Dalglish or the Hughes and Souness eras are in the past but the Brereton Diaz story has definitely given us something to smile about."
Many other supporters remain undecided or unwilling to take up the offer and will hold out in a bid to win 100% of their bets with some standing to collect as much as £20,000.
Brereton, who is currently away on international duty with Chile, has amassed almost a million followers on Instagram due to his successes for the national team.
He has also become the face of Chilean underwear brand Top, and has featured in a Pepsi Max campaign in the country.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel