A Liverpool supporter who split half of his £10,000 winnings from a penalty shootout competition with his fellow competitor has explained the reason behind his gesture.
Craig Scott, a Reds season ticket holder, was part of an initial group who were presented the chance to take a spot-kick during the interval of Liverpool’s recent 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest. This selection process involved spotting fans who used recycling bins at Anfield, with 50 individuals then taking part in a shootout which left only two contestants remaining after a process of elimination.
Progressing to the final stage alongside Mr Scott was Stephen Kidd, who were both given penalty advice by none other than Steven Gerrard before taking to the pitch at the home of the Reds.
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After both converting their initial spot-kicks, Stephen saw his second effort saved by the goalkeeper and paved the way for his competitor to convert for £10k. Doing just that, Craig powered home, leaving the onlooking Gerrard impressed, to be crowned the penalty king and receive the prize money. It later emerged Craig decided to give away half of the money won to Stephen, in a remarkable gesture of goodwill.
Talking through why he decided to perform this incredibly kind act, Craig explained: “On the day, we got there early and were both nervous to go on the Paisley stage than anything else. I spent the day with him and his family and, as the day went on and I had to go on the stage, his missus had to look after my son. When you spend the whole day with someone, that’s why my celebration was a bit subdued because I’ve seen him as a mate straight away – we get on. I didn’t want to rub it in his face, so to speak.
“I put my arm around him when it was over and said ‘Don’t worry mate, you’ve got five grand anyway’. We said we were going to split it either way, but I just wanted to reassure him, I’m not that type of guy. I know Steve would have honoured it if he would have been the winner. We’re both Reds, we’re both scousers and of a similar age. Ten grand is nice, but five grand is just as nice. I know him and his family will have a boss holiday with their money and my family can go on a boss holiday with ours. You get more enjoyment out of that than winning it all."
Taken aback after receiving his share of the winnings, Stevie added: “I didn’t know Craig before all this started. We only met when we were doing the penalties. Since that, we went to Anfield. Craig is a really nice guy. He won it in the end, so I’m happy for him and it couldn’t have happened to a better lad.”
The £10k Penalty Challenge represented the next phase of Liverpool's partnership with SC Johnson, involving a pledge by both club and partner to reduce all waste from across the club by 10 per cent each season from 2023/24.
Recycling rates at Anfield have soared to above 90% at every match in recent months. Starting at just a 25% recycling rate at the start of the season to an average of 86% by the end of 2022, this unique initiative will see the recycled bottles upcycled into new Mr Muscle® packaging.
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