Back in 1999 my team, Man United, as everyone knows, achieved the impossible and won the treble — something that had never been achieved before.

During that season I always kept an eye on the price of United doing the treble, but most bookmakers only had a set price for that achievement instead of allowing a roll-up treble which would pay a lot more.

The bookmakers’ claim was that they were interconnected events, so couldn’t be combined in multiples which I guess in some ways is true.

There was, though, at least one bookie — Wilson Sports — that allowed the bet as a standard treble. I kept my eye on the prices as they slowly got lower during the season, and when I decided it was time for a bet they were around 40/1–33/1 with most bookies. But with Wilson’s, the treble totalled around 66/1. I think this was February/March — United were top of the league, in the FA Cup quarter-final, and had just qualified from the group stages of the UCL.

At the time I was contracting in Manchester Aircraft Fitting, so I wasn’t short of a bob or two and decided to put £100 on at 66/1.

Well, that was the plan until I spoke to my mate, who is an avid LFC fan.

I told him my plan and said how I thought United were head and shoulders above every team in England and weren’t far — if at all — behind the best in Europe. His response went something like this…

“Hahaha, you’re ’avin a laff! No team has ever done the treble and never will. It’s impossible — you’ll be wasting your money you idiot.”

“Yeah, but they’re top of the league, in the FA Cup quarter-final, and now in the knockout stage of the UCL.”

“Well, it’s up to you, but I think you’re wasting your money.”

And guess what?

I listened to him and never put the bet on.

What an idiot I felt as the season unfolded. He was adamant they weren’t going to do it even as the run continued.

United then played Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, which they obviously won, and as soon as I saw Schmeichel save that penalty and Giggs run up the other end of the field and score, I knew luck was on their side and something special was going to happen that season.

I never believed in fate until I watched that match — but something weird happened that day that made me believe.

By April I was unemployed and pretty much brassic, and all I had in my head was “what if?” and “why did I listen to that idiot?” I found myself half wanting United to win the treble, but half not wanting it so I didn’t feel sick thinking about how much I would have won.

This was an awful situation to be in with my beloved Man United, so I decided to do something about it.

By now United were in the FA Cup final, had virtually won the league, and were in the UCL final. The best price I could get on the treble was 11/4 with my local bookie, as Wilson had stopped offering the treble.

So I worked out how much I needed to stake at that price to win something close to what I would have won back in February — about £6,600.

It came out at roughly £2,000 at 11/4.

All I had to do now was raise £2,000…

I remember sitting up all night thinking whether I should place the bet or if my mate was right and they wouldn’t do it. But he’s the kind of lad whose glass is always half empty — a proper doubting Thomas. He’d put the dampeners on many bright ideas I’d had over the years, so why should I listen to him now?

He said they had no chance — and here they were, just two games away from the treble.

So I decided to ignore his advice and go ahead with the craziest bet I’ve ever placed. I didn’t have anything like that kind of money at the time, so I went to the bank (yes the bank!) to ask for a loan.

I walked in, sat down, and luckily I sort of knew the lad who interviewed me. I filled in the questionnaire and at the end “Stuart” asked what the loan was for.

So, I stupidly told him.

“OMG Gaz, I can’t allow a loan for a bet!”

Then I told him the full story, and to my amazement he said, “Right, I’ll get hung for this — but I’m just going to say it’s a loan for home improvements.”

And with his blessing — and a “good luck mate” — the money was in my account by the end of the day.

I walked straight into my local bookies and after a phoncall to head office, I was given the all clear to put £2,000 on United at 11/4.

The bet was on, and it was by far the biggest bet I had ever placed.

United went on to beat Newcastle 2–0 in the final with the league already done and dusted, and all that stood between me and £5,500 profit was Bayern Munich.

One of the worst finals ever — but the last four minutes will live with me forever.

The emotions I felt when Sheringham equalised and then Solskjær scored the winner have never been matched, and the hairs still stand up every time I watch those moments.

I went to pick up my winnings a couple of days later when my hangover had subsided (I think I was still shaking), and it was even mentioned in my local paper how much “one punter” had won from United's treble.

It wasn’t a huge amount, but it remains my proudest moment as a bettor, and I’m so glad I ended up going with my instinct and allowing my heart to rule my head, at least on this one occasion

I went straight to the bank to pay the loan back, and Stuart was there as I walked in — with a bigger smile on his face than me.

With open arms he greeted me and shouted, “You absolute beauty!” which was quite embarrassing in the middle of a busy bank, but Stuart had also had a small bet on United as well so he was as chuffed as me.

I saw my mate a few days later and got a very quiet “well done.” I felt like punching him for all the stress he’d put me through after talking me out of the original bet!

But it was my own fault for listening, so I can’t blame him.

In the end, I did what every punter should do if they have a strong feeling about something…

If you've got a knack at betting and have been successful in the past, then go with your instinct and do what you think is right at the time.

The biggest regrets you’ll ever have are the things you didn’t do — not the things you did do.

Sometimes you need to go with your heart and not your head, but whatever you go with you should always 'believe' that the outcome will result in your favour