20 November 2023 , 00:01
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The first Lotto winner to ever captain his country in a sporting tournament has returned home with a bronze medal.
Neil Jones, who won £2.4m on the National Lottery, skippered the England pool team in the European Championships. The 59-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, became hooked on the sport following his big win in 2010.
He was a talented snooker player in his teens but had never played pool before landing the life-changing jackpot. Neil picked up a cue while searching for a new hobby after retiring as a self-employed tiler following the Lotto win.
He honed his skills at a club near his home and had a pool table installed in his luxury home. Neil played for hours every day during the Covid-19 lockdown and became so good he attracted the attention of England selectors.
He was selected as captain for the Three Lions B team in the European Championships in Malta last month and bagged a bronze medal. His team narrowly lost their semi-final to Wales B.
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Neil said: “It was the first time I had experienced the honour of pulling on an England shirt at a major championship. And, to add to that, I had the privilege to be captaining my country. I was very nervous but the team pulled together.
“It was the most amazing journey and I can’t believe that we won a medal. I am so proud.” He was down to his last £13 when he bought a ticket at his local Bargain Booze store in 2010. Neil and partner Julie Kirkham swapped their terraced house for a home in an exclusive area of Staffordshire.
“Winning the National Lottery doesn’t just mean fast cars and luxury foreign holidays,” he said. “For many normal, working-class people like me it means the opportunity to pursue your passions and your dreams, especially if you are lucky enough to finish work due to your new-found wealth.
“The win allowed me to retire, buy a pool table and practice, which I couldn’t have done while I was still working. I couldn’t have afforded a pool table before and do all the things I’ve been so lucky to do. I am living the dream. If it wasn’t for my National Lottery win I’d still be on my hands and knees tiling someone’s bathroom.”