Football fan bet staggering £37,000 on Wayne Rooney to be top scorer in World Cup... but forgives him
A gambler who lost £37,000 betting on Wayne Rooney to be the World Cup's top scorer has said he forgives the striker even though he failed to get a single goal.
Businessman Alan Vaughan was banking on the England star to win him more than £400,000 if he claimed the Golden Boot prize for most goals in the South Africa tournament.
Goalless: England flop Wayne Rooney looks forlorn after the team's defeat against Germany at the World Cup in South Africa
He placed the bet on with bookmakers Coral at odds of 11-1 and was confident of scooping a huge windfall thanks to the Manchester United forward.
But Rooney flopped spectacularly, failing to net once in England's four games before the team crashed out in the second round against Germany.
Mr Vaughan, 56, remained sanguine despite his heavy loss.
He said: 'I forgive you Wayne.
'I was confident he would come up with the goods because he had such a great season in the Premiership.
'I was just waiting for him to get among the goals - and I waited and waited but it never happened. If it had it would have been awesome.
'You always take a risk with a bet like that but I can't blame Wayne too much - it was a gamble which didn't pay off.
'And it soon became obvious that Wayne and England were not going to do anything.'
Mr Vaughan, of Haverfordwest, Wales, owns a chain of electrical good shops.
A Coral spokesman said: 'The bet was one of the largest placed with us for the World Cup.
'It was very unusual bet - especially coming from a Welshman.'
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