Pompey fan from Hilsea thrilled to bag £21,000 in Football Pools draw

‘I got the call on Wednesday and thought it must have been a wind up,’ said the 61-year-old football fan from Hilsea.

‘I’ve been playing for years and I’ve never really won anything. I thought they must be kidding. This couldn’t have been real.’

But on Saturday the avid Pompey supporter was handed a cheque for the huge prize draw, dispelling all thoughts he had been pranked.

‘It feels fantastic,’ said Barry as he was presented with the cash by ex-Pompey player Guy Butters and officials from The Football Pools.

‘It was a massive surprise when I found out I had won for real. I just couldn’t believe it. It’s a really great feeling.’

Barry was formally presented with a giant cheque on the ground of Fratton Park, where the 61-year-old has watched Pompey play since he was 16.

The lucky poolster said it’s the first big win in his five years playing the pools.

And he is now looking forward to spending his winnings.

But he might have to wait until the coronavirus crisis passes to fulfil his dream.

‘I want to go on holiday to Australia – it’s a place I’ve always wanted to see and I’m a bit of a sun worshipper, so I’d love to go there,’ said Barry, of Parsons Close.

‘I’d also like to buy a Pompey season ticket but I’m going to have to wait until all this lockdown stuff is over.’

Although thrilled by his winnings, amputee Barry said it wasn’t the first time lady luck had been on his side.

In 2001 he managed to dodge death after being involved in an horrific hit-and-run in West Leigh.

Then aged 42, he had been walking home from the pub when a joyrider veered across the road and onto the pavement, slamming into Barry and causing devastating injuries across his body.

The accident cost him his right leg and almost killed him. In an horrific stroke of bad luck, Barry said he caught the deadly MRSA super bug while recovering in Queen Alexandra Hospital.

But the upbeat Barry said: ‘There’s always somebody worse off than yourself. I might have lost my leg but I haven’t lost my sense of humour.’

The Football Pools – based in Liverpool – began in 1923. Players subscribe monthly and have a chance of winning £3m.

Over the past 97 years, the pools has shelled out a staggering £3.2bn to amateur pundits.

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