Founded in 1999 through a merger of local teams, Sudbury is known for its tenacity and unexpected triumphs. Their victories over favourites have led to payouts of tens and hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Victory over Leicester City in 2021: £585,000 from a single bet
In the 2021/2022 season, the Southern League Central Division was the arena for Sudbury, where they fought for survival. But the real magic, according to the experts at Winthere Casino, happened in the first round of the FA Cup on 5 November 2021. Their opponents were Leicester City from the Premier League, the 2015/2016 English runners-up with Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka in their ranks. Leicester, led by Brendan Rodgers, were considered the overwhelming favourites. The match took place at the 32,000-capacity King Power Stadium, but for Sudbury it was a trip out of hell.
The game began with the hosts dominating: in the 11th minute, Vardy opened the scoring after a pass from Ricardo Pereira. Sudbury, coached by Kevin Baskin, looked lost, with midfielder Oliver Stevens struggling to cope with the pressure. However, the tide turned in the second half. In the 65th minute, Sudbury striker Josh Carling scored from a cross to level the score. The stadium fell silent. Leicester increased the pressure, but Sudbury goalkeeper Lewis Ayrton worked wonders, saving shots from Daka and Barnes. In the 89th minute, in added time, Carling scored again with a precise header from a corner. 2-1 — a sensation!
The odds on Sudbury winning were 41.00, reflecting their status as underdogs. One fan from Suffolk bet £14,235 and won £585,000 — the biggest win in the club's history.
Triumph over Colchester United in 2016: payouts of over £200,000
Six years earlier, on 5 November 2016, Sudbury once again put on a cup fireworks display. Their opponents were Colchester United from League 2, with a reputation as a strong mid-table team. The FA Cup first round match was played at the Kingspan Stadium in Sudbury in front of 2,000 fans. Colchester, led by John McDermott, had experienced players such as Dennis Wright and Brennan Dick in their line-up, and their odds of winning were only 1.50.
Sudbury, then champions of the East Midlands League North, started with a defensive line-up: goalkeeper Jake Turner and defenders such as Ryan McLachlan. The first half was evenly matched, with Colchester controlling the ball 60 per cent of the time, but Turner saved Wright's shot. After the break, Sudbury exploded: in the 52nd minute, Ryan Black added a long-range shot to open the scoring. Colchester responded in the 60th minute with a goal from Dick after a defensive error. But Sudbury did not break. In the 72nd minute, midfielder Joe Julian finished off a solo run, and in the 85th minute, Black completed his brace with a shot into the top corner. 3-1 — euphoria.
The odds on Sudbury reached 6.50, which made the bets profitable. A group of 30 fans pooled £10,000, sharing £200,000 after deductions. Individual bets brought in up to £50,000 for one player.
The defeat of Brantham Athletic in 2023: £150,000 from a local sensation
Within the league battles of the Southern League Central Division, the brightest moment occurred on 22 April 2023. Sudbury hosted Brantham Athletic, a mid-table team in the division, on their home turf. Brantham, with a strong defence and forward Tom Black, were the favourites — they were leading the table, while Sudbury were fighting for a place in the play-offs. The odds were 2.10 for the visitors and 3.20 for the hosts, but no one expected a rout.
The match started furiously: Malcolm Ebung opened the scoring with a penalty in the 8th minute. Brantham responded with pressure, but in the 22nd minute Oliver Stevens doubled the lead with a long-range shot. In the second half, Sudbury pulled away: in the 55th minute, Josh Carling scored the third after a solo run, beating three defenders. Brantham collapsed — in the 68th minute, Ebung scored his second with a header, and in the 82nd minute, Stevens added a fifth from 25 metres. 5-0 — complete domination. Brantham's goalkeeper conceded all five, and their attacks were lost in midfield battles.
Despite the odds not being the most extreme, bets on over 3.5 goals and a clear win for Sudbury with a handicap brought in £150,000 for several players, including £75,000 from a single £20,000 bet. This rout helped Sudbury finish third, but they were eliminated in the playoffs.