A Brighton man has bet his £1.4 million luxury home on the promotion of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club to the Premier League.
The bet, believed to be the first of its kind, sees Martin Senior putting his home in Hill Brow, Hove, on the line, based on whether the Seagulls are promoted, an event with current odds of 10-1.
The odds of the team winning the league overall stand at 80-1.
Senior has promised that if anyone buys his home, he will pay back every penny if Brighton & Hove Albion FC, who are currently in ninth position in the Championship, are promoted.
Mr Senior said: “It would be the perfect end to the season for an Albion fan – a free house and their team in the Premier League. We promise to anyone who buys my house that if the Albion get promoted this season, we will give the buyer all their money back. They get to keep the house. No questions asked, every single pound will be paid back.”
This opportunity is completely unique, potentially giving someone a four-bedroom detached property for the bargain price of £0
Martin Senior’s partner, the sculptor Debbie Deakin, designed and built the house they have lived in for the last eight years.
The house was put on the market last year but failed to sell. The couple are now hoping this gesture, cooked up with betting firm Paddy Power, who are underwriting the promotion, and estate agent Winkworth, will shift their property.