Paul Innes held the crumpled raffle ticket in his hand, having checked the number 250 times on his phone, half-convinced it was a glitch—until the Red Sox staff confirmed it: he, his father Peter, and their friends John and Ross Henderson from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, had just won $21,353.80 in the Fenway Park 50/50 raffle. It was a surreal end to a weekend that had already been historic for the four Scottish football fans, who traveled to Boston to celebrate Scotland’s World Cup qualifying victory over Haiti with a night of bagpipes, kilts, and tartan pride at Fenway Park—the first-ever Scotland Celebration Night at the iconic stadium.
For over a decade, Paul and Peter Innes have followed the Tartan Army across continents, but this trip marked a new chapter—not just for their fandom, but for Red Sox history. Club officials believe this quartet to be the first United Kingdom winners of the team’s long-running 50/50 raffle, a draw in which half the jackpot supports the Red Sox Foundation and the other half goes to the lucky ticket holder. As the Texas Rangers took on Boston on Sunday, the four friends pooled just $40 for a shot at the prize. What followed was disbelief, joy, and a growing realization that they’d made history in more ways than one.
On Wednesday evening, under the shadow of the famed Green Monster, the group was handed a cheque for $10,676.90—half the total jackpot, with the remainder going to fund youth programs, education, and community initiatives through the Red Sox Foundation. Staff at the ballpark said they couldn’t recall a UK winner before, and records of recent international winners were scarce, making the moment even more extraordinary. As the Tartan Army gathered in their kilts and scarves, the blend of Scottish pride and Boston baseball created a scene that felt both improbable and heartwarmingly global.
"My best pal, his son, my son, amazing," John Henderson said, standing beside his son Ross, echoing the sentiment that this wasn’t just about the money—it was about shared moments, unexpected luck, and the kind of connection that transcends borders. The win added a golden footnote to a weekend already filled with national pride and sporting passion.
As the Red Sox prepare for the rest of their season and the Scotland team continues its World Cup campaign, the story of four fans from a small town in Midlothian walking away with a piece of Fenway history serves as a reminder: sometimes, the most unforgettable victories happen far from the pitch.