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 To start with thanks for the concern shown after last week’s column describing my worst ever betting weekend. Well actually there was just the one e-mail but not to worry Mom I will be just fine, thanks for caring.
In fact despite taking things easy on the weekend I made something of a fight back triggered by the arrival of a long term bet on Brighton to be promoted and to be crowned champions of League One at odds of 5/1 and 16/1.
Now with most bets you put your money down and within a couple of hours or perhaps days you know your fate and either write it off or collect from your bookie. This bet was very different though as the money was put down way back in July last year and for 9 months I have followed the fortunes of the “Seagulls” a club I must admit to previously knowing little about.
The bet was sparked by a preview Chris Sturdy put on Goodforthegame. Brighton had only finished 13th the season before but he poured through the information at his disposal and concluded that the appointment of a promising young manager, plans for a new stadium and general optimism from Brighton fans in various forums suggested they could contend and were a great value at 16/1.
They got off to a solid start before hitting their straps to become the first UK side to wrap up promotion and the title. Somehow collecting a bet which had seen me scouring the live scores and team news of a division I would not normally give a second glance to was more satisfying than a similar win on say a single game of rugby. For this bet I literally became a Brighton fan, living and breathing their success together with the lifelong supporters who have weathered many highs and probably far more lows with the club.
While very happy to collect on the bet there was just a hint of sadness when I realised the job was done. I have become quite attached to this club but the reality is that while their loyal fans cheer them on in the Championship next season I will have moved on and will be following the progress of whichever team Mr. Sturdy fancies to make a charge through the divisions.
You have to love it when a plan comes together though!
This article was written for the CitiGaming supplement of the Citizen Newspaper and was first published on the 21st of April 2011.
Brent Graham is a blogger on www.goodforthegame.co.za and presents a sports betting radio show every Thursday night from 22h00 – 22h30 on 1485AM Radio Today or Channel 169 of the DSTV Audio Bouquet and to get on his free weekly e-mail list just send a message to brent@goodforthegame.co.za titled “Best Bets”.
You can follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/brentgraham or get on his mailing list by dropping him a line at brent@goodforthegame.co.za
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