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Three punters have been paid out by a bookmaker which accepted bets on the specific time of John Terry's first-half substitution at 100-1.

Paddy Power accepted the wagers on Terry being substituted between 26:00 and 26:59 in Sunday's Premier League clash with Sunderland, his last as a Chelsea player at Stamford Bridge.

The relegated Black Cats were aware of the orchestrated plan, which was Terry's idea.

Press Association Sport has spoken to two customers of Paddy Power, who won £2,500 and £1,000 respectively.

(Image: @PAdugout/Twitter)

Paddy Power said in a statement on Monday: "We replied to a novelty request for odds on John Terry's substitution - one of hundreds on the Chelsea game - and fair play to the three punters who were on at odds of 100-1.

"To be honest the only mistake here is we should have clocked sooner there'd be another cringe-worthy Chelsea send-off for JT."

Terry's pre-planned substitution midway through the first half of the champions' 5-1 win over Sunderland was forecast on social media by the Chelsea fanzine editor before kick-off.

Terry revealed after the match that the idea to come off in the 26th minute had come from him, to tie in with his squad number of 26.

There was precedent at Chelsea. Didier Drogba was carried off by team-mates midway through the first half of a fixture with Sunderland two years ago on his farewell appearance.

(Image: Rex Features) (Image: Rex Features)

One punter who attended the game predicted something similar regarding Terry and made an enquiry with Paddy Power before placing a £25 bet on the phone.

The punter, who wished to remain anonymous, told Press Association Sport: "We thought maybe 10-1, 15-1 at most as there was a precedent set (by Drogba's substitution).

"I consider myself relatively lucky."

Another punter said he opened an account with Paddy Power in order to place the bet, which was only possible to do over the phone.

The Chelsea fan was not watching the game, but says he put on a £10 stake and received his winnings in his account on Monday.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

"I only put money on this because I thought this is surely going to come in," said the punter, who wished to remain anonymous.

"I don't normally bet. It's only the second time I've ever placed a bet.

"I was surprised the odds were that high."

Press Association Sport spoke to gambling industry experts who expressed surprise a market was in place for the bet.

The Gambling Commission and the FA elected not to comment when approached by Mirror Football.

There is no suggestion that the decision to substitute Terry was anything other than an attempt by Chelsea to give their long-serving captain a farewell to remember in front of the club's fans.