Lotto winner's surprising hobby that's seen him represent England and win bronze
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.
![Six teachers open up on 'difficult' strike decision - and why they are doing it qhidddiqxeihtinv](/upload/news/2023/02/01/68_m.jpg)
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.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176268_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176264_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/02/176213_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/27/176126_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176268_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176267_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176266_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176265_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176264_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176262_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176261_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176260_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176259_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176258_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176256_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176254_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176253_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176252_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176251_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176250_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176249_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176248_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176247_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176246_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176245_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176244_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176243_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/04/176242_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/03/176241_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/03/176240_m.jpg)