A lottery winner who used part of his £2.4million prize money to buy a pool table has won a bronze medal after representing England at the European Championships.
Neil Jones and his partner Julie Kirkham won the mammoth prize on the National Lottery in 2010, prompting the 59-year-old to retire from his job as a self-employed tiler. Looking for a hobby to fill his free time, one of Jones' first purchases with his winnings was a pool table.
He had been an avid snooker player growing up, but had never played pool before making the purchase. Jones honed his skills and spent hours playing during the Covid lockdowns, eventually getting on England's radar.
He had his first trial for England in 2021, but did not get the chance to represent his country until this year. Jones was named captain of England's B1 team for the European Blackball Championships in Malta and led them to a third-placed finish.
Reflecting on the tournament, Jones 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 and, after finding our form we beat some excellent teams before coming up just short in a tight match against Wales B1 in the semis. At the time of the semi-final loss, we were all gutted but, upon reflection, if you'd have offered us a podium place when we left home we'd have jumped at it.
"It was the most amazing journey and I can't believe that we won a medal. I am so proud. The (Lottery) win allowed me to retire and practise, which I couldn't have done while I was still working.
"I also couldn't have afforded a professional-grade pool table before the win. Winning the National Lottery put me on this journey and when I think back to when I won, 13 years ago, I would have never thought all this would have been possible."
Speaking ahead of the European Championships, Jones paid tribute to his late father. " To pull on an England shirt in any sport is every schoolboy's dream," he said. " To be asked by your peers to captain your country... I can't put it into words.
"I just wish my dear Dad was here to see it. When I didn't get through in the previous trials, I remember him saying, 'maybe next year'. Unfortunately, he passed away the following year but I know he will be looking down on me, following my every pot, cheering me on."
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