Neil Jones, 59, embarked on an unexpected journey from being a humble tiler to international pool stardom after winning a life-changing £2.4 million ($3m) in the UK national lottery.
Little did he know that his initial splurge on a pool table, driven by his boyhood passion for snooker, would pave the way for his proudest achievement - representing his country in the European Pool Championships.
The windfall allowed Jones to retire comfortably, and the advent of Covid lockdowns provided him with the precious time to refine his pool skills in the comfort of his home. He rapidly ascended the ranks, becoming a regular player for his county.
"Not long after we won the lottery, I went to the local pool hall, and there was a friend of mine who I used to do karaoke and watch the football with." His fascination with the game ignited, leading him to invest in a high-quality pool table for his home. "I was getting better, and as you get better, you can't be practicing on something that isn't very good," he recounted. "Winning the lottery allowed me to put those hours in. If I didn't win, I wouldn't have been able to buy the table, I wouldn't have had the time - I'd still be on my hands and knees tiling."
Although he narrowly missed out on his first England trial in 2021, Jones was given another opportunity in early 2023, which he seized with determination. He was bestowed with his England colours during a home nations tournament, and after a commendable debut, he was not only chosen to represent England in the European Championships, but was also entrusted with the captaincy of the team.