Today’s Starting Bankroll: $945.80 (Yesterday’s Bets)
Soccer has always been more than just a game to me. It’s a way of life, a passion that runs deep. Like many fans, I’ve spent countless hours cheering for my favorite teams, analyzing matches, and dreaming of being part of the action. But never did I imagine that one day, I’d transition from being a devoted fan to an actual stakeholder in a football club. This is the story of how I became a minority owner of the Caledonian Braves, a team in Scotland’s Lowlands League, and the incredible journey that has followed.
The Decision to Invest
The opportunity to invest in the Caledonian Braves came at a time when I was looking for a meaningful way to combine my love for soccer and the big changes that were taking place in my life. Of course I am talking about the birth of my daughter Remy in January 2024.
I kept thinking to myself how could my love of sports and the greatest gift I have ever received tie into together someway.
That is when I saw an Wefunder advertisement on the Caledonian Braves IG with the opportunity to invest in a “Wee Scottish Football Club”.
The Caledonian Braves aren’t a global football powerhouse, but what they lack in fame, they make up for in heart, ambition, and a deep connection to their community. The club’s ethos of innovation and inclusivity resonated with me, and I saw the potential to be part of something special.
Looking down at my daughter Remy I thought that this would be the best gift that we could share as a family for generations.
But this wasn’t just an investment in the Caledonian Braves; it was an investment in the future. I decided to put my ownership stake in my company’s name, with a specific intention in mind—one day, I want to pass this on to my daughter, Remy. She’s only seven months old now, but I hope that one day she will appreciate the significance of being connected to a football club with such a strong community spirit. This decision was as much about building a legacy as it was about personal involvement.
Early Success on the Pitch
The Lowland Scottish Football League and the Caledonian Braves kicked off on July 27th, 2024 and so did our journey as owners. The excitement among the fans, players, and ownership was palpable. My daughter and I watched the Caledonian Braves handedly win 6-0 their first match and our love for this Scottish football club began.
The Caledonian Braves now a few weeks into the season have been in impressive fashion, going undefeated in their first three matches with a record of 2-0-1. Including their most recent win 1-0 against East Stirlingshire where they were a man down after a red card for 85+ minutes of the match.
Watching these early successes unfold has been nothing short of exhilarating. There’s a unique thrill in seeing the team you’ve invested in, both financially and emotionally, take to the field and perform at their best.
These early results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the club, from the players and coaching staff to the supporters who bring the energy each match day. The unbeaten start has instilled a sense of optimism that this could be a season to remember, and it’s incredibly rewarding to feel that I’m playing a small part in that journey.
The Challenges of Ownership
Despite the early success on the pitch, the role of a minority owner is not without its challenges. Football, as we all know, is a game of highs and lows. Managing expectations, both my own and those of the fanbase, is a constant task. Every win is celebrated, but it’s important to stay grounded and focused on the long-term goals of the club.
Financially, lower-league football presents its own set of challenges. Unlike the big-name clubs with multi-million-dollar sponsorships and TV deals, the Braves operate on a much leaner budget. Every decision made by the ownership group must be carefully considered to ensure the club’s financial health while also striving for success on the pitch. As a minority owner, my role along with the thousands of other investors is largely advisory, but I take it seriously, knowing that each choice we make can have a lasting impact on the club’s future.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, I’m filled with optimism about what the future holds for the Caledonian Braves. The unbeaten start is just the beginning, and there’s a real sense of momentum building within the club. As a minority owner, I’m committed to supporting the team’s ambitions both on and off the pitch.
But more than anything, this journey has been about more than just soccer. It’s about being part of a community, contributing to something larger than oneself, and creating a legacy that can be passed down to the next generation. Becoming a stakeholder in the Caledonian Braves has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m excited to see where this adventure leads.
In the end, football is about dreams—dreams of victory, of community, and of legacy. And as I look to the future, I’m proud to say that I’m living that dream, not just as a fan, but as a stakeholder in a club that embodies everything I love about the game.
Day #7 Recap
The first week of trying and becoming a professional sports bettor is in the books. I would give myself a D- if we were grading on an academic scale. In the first part of the week I was strong and climbing the peak, however, I have tripped and fallen in a valley the last couple of days.
$200 – $200K Challenge Bet: Lane Thomas Over 1.5 HRR
- Well, Lane Thomas did get two hits. However, they were in the second game of the double header and this bet was on the first game.
- Thomas went 0-4 with two strikeouts and honestly I am not surprised as he was hitting in the five spot. Thomas needs to be protected to hit and putting him after Ramirez and Josh Naylor is not going to allow him to see any pitches. In the future I will need to look and see where he is in the lineup first before firing a bet on him.
Cincinnati Reds ML
- Honestly if you take away the first six batters of this game it was an easy winner. But, I can’t do that and the Marlins win 6-4.
- Miami put up 5 runs in the 1st inning that was topped off by a grand slam. After that it was smooth sailing for the Reds pitching staff.
- Cincinnati ended up putting up a 4-spot in the 7th inning to give us some hope but the 1st inning debacle was to much for them to overcome.
Bratislava vs APOEL Over 2.25
- This is a prime example of why I bet the asian lines more than anything else when it comes to soccer totals.
- Bratislava who was a heavy home favorite here played very tentative over the 1st 73 minutes until they received a gift in the form of an own goal to go up 1-0.
- I was lucky enough to have them score again in extra time to win 2-0 and at least salvage half of this bet into a push.
Andy Pages HRR Over 1.5
- This one was ended as a push because he did not start the game. He did come on late and end up with a hit, but again, because of not starting this gets voided.
2+ RBI Milestone Parlay
- This wasn’t the worst parlay that we have ever had, but it also wasn’t great.
- Jose Miranda 1-4, no RBI’s
- Alex Verdugo 2-5, 1 RBI
- Pete Alonso 1-4, 1 RBI
Day #7 Profit/Loss: -$17.44
What I Learned:
Look At Lineup’s, If I Can: The lineup card is an integral part of betting MLB, however, you are not always privy to it when you place your bets. I think I need to do a better job of seeing if the lineup cards are out and look to see where my hitters are being placed in the order. As I mentioned I think Thomas in the second spot is going to allow him to see better pitches and that was proven in the second game of the doubleheader.
$200 ➡️ $200K Sports Betting Challenge
Level 1.1 ($2 ➡️ $4)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 2.5 HRR
Day #8 Bets:
#1) Europa Conference League Qualification: Ilves Tampere/Djurgardens Over 2.75 (-115)
#2) MLB Bet: Jurickson Profar Over 1.5 HRR (-125)
#3) Europa Conference League Qualification: Saint Patricks/Sabah FK Over 2.5 (-110)
Parlay of the Day: 2+ RBI Milestone
Michael Conforto (+700) | Jake Cronenworth (+500) | Jorge Polanco (+550)
Go Caledonian Braves!
