Jacob Allmendinger, a 21-year-old England fan from North Ferriby, East Yorkshire, was 'amazed' after an online casino reimbursed the £10,000 he had spent from his life savings to take his 80-year-old grandad, Geoff Golliker, to the World Cup in the United States and Mexico.
The duo attended three England matches: a 2-0 victory over Panama in New York, a 2-1 win against DR Congo in Atlanta, and the historic 3-2 triumph over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on July 6. Allmendinger had saved the money over five years for a house deposit but decided to use it for the trip, saying, 'I can always make money back, I'm at the age where I can afford to miss out on a house for two or three years. But I won't ever get to go to the World Cup with my grandad again.'
Viral Story Leads to Reimbursement
Their heartwarming story went viral, and US-based online crypto casino Metawin reached out to Allmendinger on social media. The casino initially promised to refund the £10,000 if England beat Panama by more than two goals. When England only won 2-0, Metawin updated their offer, pledging to pay if England defeated DR Congo by any score. After the 2-1 win, Allmendinger was stunned to find the money in his bank account.
'I was amazed, it was an incredible gesture really,' Allmendinger said. 'I didn't quite believe it, to be honest, until I looked at my bank and it was there. I was just in shock.'
Plans for the Refunded Money
Allmendinger plans to save the money for now. 'I think I'll save the money until I get back home. I'll put it in a savings account for now and see what happens after the next couple of months. We could go to the European Championships, I could buy a house, anything is possible. It's just great to have options.'
The pair are now heading to Miami for England's quarter-final against Norway. Allmendinger described the Mexico game as 'a once-in-a-generation game to watch,' noting the parallels to 1966 when England last beat Mexico in the World Cup and went on to win the tournament.
Recognition and Bonding
Since their story made headlines, the duo have been recognised in the street. 'When we were in New York, a guy came up to us and said, 'are you the guys travelling round?' It was brilliant,' Golliker said. Allmendinger added that he has received positive messages from people who wish they had done something similar with their grandparents. 'We get on like a house on fire. We're more best mates than grandad and grandson,' he said.
