Tomorrow I aim to claim my winnings on a pre-season bet.

The landlord at a well-known Irish pub here runs an unofficial book and does very well out of it, thank you very much. He's had money off me for the last 3 years on failing to get into Europe, not winning the cup etc.

Revenge is sweet. Last summer he accepted a 20 quid bet at 16-1 for a Toon top 6 finish.

That's three hundred and twenty quid, my friends. For ME. And I am going to love it, just love it, when I take the cash off the bloke in question.

Even better news, another Toon fan made the same bet at the same time. Ho Ho.

Wonder what odds he'll give me for next year?

The bad news is, wor lass has the Ikea catalogue out. Methinks it's already spent...:(

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

Answers

Well done Steve. That's what I call blind faith.

Not like these miserable gits who're starting to question Shearer's credentials.

(OO er, Hope me hands aren't too cold, Alan)

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

I got evens on Newcastle finishing above Leicester. 10 quid with me mate.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

I won a box of Mars Bars on finishing above Leicester, I also won Toffee Crisps last season!

Good bet Steve!

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

I've scooped £20 from a mackem. £10 from a West Hamster and my Fantasy team is looking good for another £10 from a Bolton Wanderer. Add all this to the £3 I had on Dabz to score the first against Sunderland at 33-1 and suddenly next year's Season ticket isn't looking too pricey.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

I got one number on last week's Lottery draw. Can I add my previous winning numbers to make a claim? Sort of like an accumulator?

My local has a Sunday night key draw - this weekend it's up to £850. I right fancy my chances. Just like I did last Sunday...and the one before that...

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Bleugh! Flu is too bad to go to the pub after all. My glory will have to wait. It means that I can listen to the webcast at the same time as watching Barça - Madrid mind.

Pass the Lemsip...

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002