England fan who spent £10,000 life savings to take grandad to World Cup gets all money back after 'incredible' offer
This England fan has proved it really does pay to be kind, as after sacrificing his life savings to take his grandad to the World Cup, he's just got every penny back.
Jacob Allmendinger has been setting money aside for the last five years for a house deposit - but he decided to blow it all on making priceless memories with Geoff Golliker, 80, at the football tournament.
After a firm in the US got wind of the 21-year-old's generosity, it decided to reimburse him with the £10,000 he spent on the trip of a lifetime with his grandad.
Jacob said he has been left stunned by the 'incredible gesture', as well as the hundreds of sweet messages he has received since his story hit the headlines.
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'I can always make money back'
A few weeks back, he revealed he was heading across the pond with his 80-year-old relative to watch the Three Lions play their hearts out in New Jersey and Atlanta, as well as the very memorable match at the Azteca Stadium.
Jacob said he had 'no regrets' about splurging his savings on a whirlwind tour of the US with Geoff, who he described as his 'best mate'.
"I can always make money back," the lad, from East Yorkshire, said. "I'm at the age where I can afford to miss out on a house for two or three years.
"But I won't ever get to go to the World Cup with my grandad again. We get on like a house on fire. We're more best mates than grandad and grandson."
Geoff said his grandson got an 'instant yes' from him when he first suggested the trip last year, while the Hull City fans also explained why football is such an 'important' part of their relationship.
Saying their shared love for the support has 'definitely strengthened' their bond, Jacob explained going to matches together has given them both some solace since his beloved grandmother passed away in 2020.
Geoff has been taking Jacob to watch Hull City since he was a little boy, so now, he's returning the favour.
Although the young man was happy to splash the money he had saved for his house deposit on his grandad, an online crypto casino thought it was only right to give him a chance to earn it back.
Loads of people have been moved by Jacob and Geoff's story, to the point that people have been stopping them in the streets.
"We're getting recognised quite a bit," the grandad told the BBC. "When we were in New York, a guy came up to us and said, 'Are you the guys travelling round?' It was brilliant.
"The Mexican fans were absolutely fantastic. Very happy, very boisterous. The atmosphere that's built up is fantastic."
'I didn't quite believe it'
MetaWin, a firm in the US, offered to give Jacob the entire £10,000 back if England beat Panama by more than two goals.
As the score wound up to be 2-0, the company decided to give the devoted grandson another roll of the dice. MetaWin then said that they would honour the deal if England triumphed over DR Congo.
Thankfully, Harry Kane hit the back of the net twice and we won 2-1 - meaning that Jacob's life savings were restored.
"I was amazed," he said of MetaWin giving him the funds. "It was an incredible gesture really. I didn't quite believe it, to be honest, until I looked at my bank and it was there. I was just in shock.
"I think I'll save the money until I get back home. I'll put it in a savings account for now and see what happens after the next couple of months.
'It just makes us cherish this time more'
"We could go to the European Championships, I could buy a house, anything is possible. It's just great to have options."
Jacob said he has had an 'amazing' time so far with his grandad, explaining that he and Geoff are now gearing up to fly to Miami for Saturday's quarter-final clash against Norway.
Sharing his thoughts on why he thinks his story went viral, Jacob added: "I think it just resonates with people.
"I've had people reach out who have lost their grandparents and how they wish they'd done something similar. It just makes us cherish this time more, really."
Who's cutting onions?
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Thursday, 9 July
Quarter-final - Match 97: France vs Morocco, kick-off 9pm - Foxborough, US
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Olivia Burke