Premier League: Leicester fan cashes in bet because dad couldn't cope with pressure

A Leicester City fan who stood to pocket £50,000 if they won the Premier League has accepted £29,000 from the bookies - because his DAD couldn't cope with the pressure. 

Lifelong Foxes fan Sam North, 26, placed a £10 bet with Sky Bet at whopping 5,000-1 odds before the start of the football season last August. 

The season ticket holder, from Barrow-upon-Soar, Leics., was set to net £50,000 if they won he title, but he cashed in a lower amount early. 

The Foxes are currently five points clear of second-place Tottenham Hotspur, with just seven games to go. 

Despite being convinced his beloved Leicester City will still lift the Premier League trophy in May, garage manager Sam said the pressure had become too much for him and his dad Tim. 

He said: "My Dad can't enjoy the season anymore and he's blaming me for it. 

"He had to leave the house and go to the pub with ten minutes to go against Crystal Palace on Saturday. He said he just could not take the pressure. It was making him ill. 

"After what happened in their game on Sunday, I think Southampton will be a tough one for us and I can't see Liverpool stopping Tottenham, so with nearly £30,000 on the table I just felt it was the right time. 

"I don't want the lads to start thinking I've lost faith by cashing out as I genuinely do still believe they will do it. 

"It's a win-win situation now I've taken the money. 

"I'm not sure many other fans would see it the same way but, with what Leicester have been through, winning the league is a far bigger deal to me than the money. 

"I'd be more nervous about the actual title on the final day than the money if I hadn't cashed out, but I actually think we'll have it won before then due to the tough games Tottenham have got coming up. 

"Then even if it does come down to it, I'm not convinced Chelsea will be giving it their all to stop us if it means Tottenham or Arsenal will benefit." 

Sam is planning on spending his winnings on a season ticket for next year and hopes to follow the Foxes in Europe.