A National Lottery winner from Stoke-on-Trent has been named England captain for the European Pool Championships next month.

Neil Jones, 59, from Stoke-on-Trent, retired as a tiler after he won £2.4M on a Lotto draw in December 2010 with his partner Julie Kirkham.

One of Neil's first purchases as a millionaire - a pool table, having played snooker as a junior - turned out to be his 'cue' to international sporting honours.

With more free time after retiring and the onset of Covid meaning he was able to hone his skills, Neil rose up through the ranks to become a regular county player, before his first England trial back in 2021. After narrowly missing out back then, he continued playing and practising until he was asked to trial again in early 2023.

Neil worked as a tiler until he won £2.4m on a Lotto draw in December 2010 (Townhouse Communications).

This time he was successful, and had the honour of being awarded his England colours during a Home Nations tournament. After a solid debut performance with the Three Lions proudly on his chest, Neil has not only been chosen to represent England in the European Pool Championships, being held in Malta in early November, but he has also been asked to captain the England B1 team.

Neil said, "I am so proud. To pull on an England shirt in any sport is every schoolboy's dream. To be asked by your peers to captain your country…well 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 my dad saying, 'don't worry son, maybe next year'. He followed my pool playing and gave me lots of encouragement. Unfortunately, he passed away the following year but I know he will be looking down on me, following my every pot, cheering me on."

Neil returned to snooker following his win and early retirement (Townhouse Communications).

Neil played a lot of snooker as a teenager but stopped until he picked up his cue again after winning on The National Lottery. He said, "I don't know why I stopped but with the extra time after retiring early thanks to my win, I wanted a hobby. I popped into the old snooker hall and had a go at pool and immediately had a feel for it. The guys asked me to play in one of the teams and I rose up through the ranks pretty quickly."

Neil bought himself a pool table and practised every day and, with a mixture of talent and hard work he was soon reaping the rewards. He said, "I played at The Plaza Club in Fenton and then represented them. I then had county trials for Staffordshire Over 50s and got through, and I still play in that team. I then also started playing a different set of rules called 'black ball'. I again had trials for Staffordshire, before joining that team. I then worked my way up before attending England trials but missed out a few times before, finally, I got the call-up.

"It's not just playing pool that I enjoy, it's the people. The lads down my club, The Plaza, are just great. They are my mates, and we encourage each other which is brilliant because the place is full of amazing players."

Neil said, "Winning The National Lottery doesn't just mean fast cars and luxury foreign holidays. 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.

Neil plays at The Plaza Club, in Fenton, and for Staffordshire Over 50s (Townhouse Communications).

"The win allowed me to retire, buy a pool table and practise, 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."

The win has allowed Neil to indulge another of his passions - scuba diving. Neil has been diving all over the world and is now a certified 'Master Diver'. 

Neil said: "If it wasn't for my National Lottery win, I wouldn't be telling this story. I'd still be on my hands and knees tiling someone's bathroom! I didn't have that much money left in the world when I won, and I am now captaining my country! 

"I can't wait to fly out to Malta, put on that England shirt and lead the team out to play in The European Championships. Somebody please pinch me!"

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