But 1923 was also the year three telegraphists from Manchester – armed only with £150 and an idea – took to the streets outside Old Trafford and started to sell their dream.

That’s where the story of Littlewoods Pools begins.

Eighty years later, Littlewoods Pools is a social, sporting and business institution.

It survived a crippling cash crisis, controversial court cases, six years of German bombs and decades of government legislation to become the original "millionaire maker", marketing a dream to 14 million people every week.

How appropriate, then, that in the football-crazy city of Liverpool sits a firm associated with the sport longer than any other, and one that has employed more of the city’s population than any other.

From Sir John Moores to Viv Nicholson, from Sir Tom Finney to Eric Cantona, this book tells the remarkable story of the personalities who helped turn Littlewoods Pools into a household name.

From the glamour of the FA Cup sponsorship, to the financial support for the grassroots game, this book shows why Littlewoods Pools has long been football’s biggest supporter.

For every pools punter, and every football fan, this is a truly fascinating story.