It was a tall order for non-teague side Farnborough Town in the 2003 FA Cup. No pressure – all they had to do was not only beat Premier League Arsenal, but also go on to win the cup for a charity to get £1m. Local newspaper proprietor and lifelong supporter Sir Ray Tindle shelled out £1,000 in bets with £650 riding on Farnborough beating Arsenal at 40/1; £250 for the underdogs to score the first goal of the game at 12/1; and £100 on them to win the FA Cup at odds of 10,000/1. lf all three bets came off, Sir Ray pledged the £1m to a local hospital appeal. Unfortunately Surrey side Farnborough lost Sir Ray’s stake at the first hurdle by losing 1-5 to the Gunners.
