GAMBLER Chris Woodcock could afford to smile today.

He's the mystery punter who saw an £81,000 jackpot win disappear as Liverpool beat AC Milan in Wednesday's Champions league final.

But Chris, 27, of Edgerton, had sensibly hedged his bets.

He put £10,000 on Liverpool to win on Monday -knowing that whichever way the final went, he could not lose.

He ended up winning £15,000 after Liverpool's penalty shoot-out success, rather than the £81,000 his sporting accumulator would have earned him.

Chris, who gave up a sales job two months ago to travel abroad, loves a flutter. He staked £50 last summer on a series of sporting bets and then watched all his selections win.

He picked Chelese for the Premiership (odds Evens), Sunderland for the Championship (4-1), Luton for Division 1 (11/8), Barnet for the Conference (13/8), New England Patriots for the US Superbowl (3/1) and AC Milan for the European Cup (11/2).

"I like a little wager and every year I try and pick four or five teams who I think have a good chance.

"Chelsea, Luton and Barnet were my bankers, and I had a strong feeling about the Patriots. I was torn between West Ham and Sunderland for the Championship and in the end I went for Sunderland.

"My only worry as the season drew to a close was that Chelse may meet AC Milan, and I fancied them to win. I never thought Liverpool, would do it.

"It was only on Monday that I put £10,000 on Liverpool, knowing I would get something back.

"I watched the final with my girlfriend, Hannah, and her family in York. The first half flew by and her dad put the Champagne in the fridge at halftime.

"When Liverpool's first goal went in, I felt things could go wrong but everyone said don't worry. Then they got two more and it went into extra time.

"I thought AC Milan would get stronger but it was not to be.

"It was a bit of a sickener as I had been so looking forward to the final but at least I have something back".

Now Chris plans to spend some of his winnings - probably on a holiday.

And he's already studying form for next season - with Argentina to win the World Cup as a clear favourite.