A great-grandfather from Wales has landed a bumper £291,000 payout on The Pools after successfully predicting eight score draws.
The Liverpool fan netted the Classic Pools jackpot with his selections from a weekend of fixtures leading up to Christmas.
Peter Davies from Pontypridd, 77, had correctly called the outcome of seven matches with just the Monday night game between Manchester United and Bournemouth left to play.
It became an all-time Premier League classic and with six minutes remaining Manchester United held a 4-3 lead.
At that moment, the ball broke to Cherries super sub Junior Kroupi just inside United’s penalty area.
Bournemouth Equaliser Bags The Jackpot
Kroupi’s neatly side-footed equaliser clinched a 4-4 draw and confirmed Peter’s £291,000 rollover win.
It was to become Ruben Amorim’s penultimate home game before being sacked as Manchester United manager.
Perhaps more remarkable than the scoreline was the fact that Peter had no idea he’d won until the following day.
“I had selected the eight fixtures, but wasn’t watching the Manchester United game,” he said.
“It wasn’t until I received the phone call the next morning that I realised I’d won.
“I was shocked, happy, crying, all those emotions at once.
“I’m actually a Liverpool fan, so it’s fair to say we had a good 2025, lifting the Premier League trophy and then winning on The Pools the week before Christmas.
Playing The Pools For Over 40 Years
Peter has been a regular player on The Pools for over 40 years, long before the advent of the digital era.
In his late 50s he was diagnosed with a rare spinal disability, and he rarely strays far from his South Wales home.
This win is truly life-changing for him and wife Janet.
“The Pools has always been a hobby for me and I look forward to playing every weekend,” he said.
“I was diagnosed with syringomyelia in my 50s, a neurological disorder of the spine, so spend most of my time at home.
“I haven’t been able to travel for a long time, we haven’t been on holiday for a number of years, but I’m hoping we can maybe now book a trip to Spain with all the family.
“We live in a house, but we can now hope to move into a bungalow, all on one floor, which will help me a lot.
“This money means happiness and security for my family, which will allow us to plan for the future.”
Football’s Longest-Surviving Betting Game
The Pools was launched by a newly formed company Littlewoods from its Liverpool home in 1923.
It is thought to be the oldest-surviving football betting game in the world.
Founded by three friends it took a few years to get established but by 1932 the remaining sole owner Sir John Moores was a millionaire in his own right.
Moores went on to become a director and chairman of Everton during the 1960s and 70s.
The Pools was known as the UK’s “millionaire maker” in the days before the National Lottery.
At its peak it boasted 14 million players weekly with draws being highlighted on TV during Saturday results round-ups.
Under CEO James Arnold the popular betting pool format has propelled itself into the digital age.
That included a rebrand and an expansion of its services though 2025.
The Pools now boasts an updated stable of games and a new platform designed and delivered by Fincore.
Executive Reaction
Peter’s win was the biggest on Classic Pools since a shrewd player scooped £318,292 in September 2024.
“Landing eight correct score draws, ending in Manchester United’s memorable 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, has given Peter a life-changing sum,” said Arnold.
“We’re delighted to see the positive impact the winnings can have for Peter, his wife Janet and all his family.
“Peter has played with The Pools for more than 40 years.
“To see his success one week before Christmas, the same year his beloved Liverpool won the Premier League… you couldn’t write the script for this one.”
Peter’s Winning Pools Coupon
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Telstar 2-2 NEC
Waregem 2-2 RAAL La Louviere
Sunday, December 14
AC Milan 2-2 Sassuolo
Bayern Munich 2-2 Mainz
Freiburg 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
NAC Breda 1-1 Utrecht
Genk 1-1 Westerlo
Monday, December 15
Man Utd 4-4 Bournemouth
