U's fan set to launch exciting new prediction app this summer
AN Oxford United supporter is set to launch a new football prediction app ahead of next season.
Founded by Kieran Whelan, from Brize Norton, and two of his friends, TIPPL Sports will see users select six results from the 20 hardest games to predict from the Premier League down to Sky Bet League Two.
The chaotic points system includes base points for correct results, bonuses for winning the 'Big Bet' and penalties for players who have poor weeks.
Goal difference also contributes to a player's weekly score, ensuring no one is ever out of the title race.
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Having become bored of current apps on the market focusing on the top flight, Whelan used Microsoft Excel to create an app in a bid to engage more EFL fans.
'I decided to build a simple Excel, no budgets or score picking or anything like that, I would just choose the five hardest matches to predict from each of the top four leagues, and we would all choose six results,' Whelan explained.
'It then grew and grew, a few of our other friends joined, then friends of friends, and eventually after a couple of years I had two divisions running, relegation and promotion, and around 100 people, with more wanting to join the season after.
'I wanted to create something chaotically fun. Throughout the few years on Excel, we had a player gain as much as 36 points in one week and drop as many as minus 21.
'I think so far we've only had one season out of four where it's been won by more than 10 points, and one where the leader was first all season, and lost only on correct predictions on the final game, essentially like losing the title on goal difference.
'We even have lower league specials during international breaks where the National League and National League North and South are involved. We wanted to essentially flip the script and show that the EFL community is something that shouldn't be ignored.'
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With the U's being a huge part of Whelan's life growing up, the idea of a fans' league for fellow United supporters is something which he wants to become a reality.
He said: 'I would definitely love to see as many Oxford fans as possible getting involved, joining a fans' league, and enjoying the app. There are plans for a team's league too, so the more Oxford fans representing the club and gaining points the better.'
With approximately 100 people and two divisions running in the previous couple of years, Whelan prepares for the launch of TIPPL Sports on July 18.
He hopes to see the app progress into a hub for EFL fans in the future, before one day looking to take the fun overseas.
For more information about TIPPL Sports, please visit: tipplsports.com
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