sports
England fan uses house deposit to take grandfather to World Cup
A 21-year-old England supporter spent roughly $13,300 in savings to travel with his 80-year-old grandfather to three matches. An online casino later reimbursed the full amount after England defeated DR Congo.
Jul 9, 3:25 PM·1m read1 source
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Jacob Allmendinger, 21, used about £10,000 — or roughly $13,300 — that he had saved over five years for a house deposit to take his 80-year-old grandfather, Geoff Golliker, to the FIFA World Cup. The pair traveled to New York, Atlanta and Mexico City to attend England's matches against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico, including a 3-2 victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
Online casino offer Metawin, an online crypto casino, had pledged on social media to reimburse Allmendinger if England defeated DR Congo. The company had earlier offered repayment if England beat Panama by more than two goals, but that condition was not met.
After England's 2-1 win over DR Congo, the company transferred the full amount to Allmendinger. "I was amazed. It was an incredible gesture, really," Allmendinger told SWNS. " Allmendinger said he plans to place the money in a savings account while deciding next steps.
"We could go to the European Championships. I could buy a house. Anything is possible," he said. Before the trip, he described the decision to spend the savings as straightforward because the chance to travel with his grandfather would not return.
