EuroMillions Win Drives Football Hooligan Insane, Leading to Fortune Loss
Daniel Wright, a former football hooligan turned author, revealed how his £1,000,000 EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker prize affected him. He said the initial euphoria faded and left him emotionally unsettled.
The jackpot and its human cost
Wright won the million-pound prize in 2022. The victory came four years after his second prison release.
A leading figure in the Bradford City firm called The Ointment, he has been jailed twice for football violence. He said the windfall created unexpected pressure.
The EuroMillions win drove the former football hooligan a little bit insane, leading to fortune loss.
Spending, regret and practical moves
He admitted to lavish short-term spending immediately after the win. Trips and big purchases followed.
- Paid for a villa in Jamaica.
- Made a casino trip to Las Vegas and gambled heavily.
- Says he gambled about £60,000 in one weekend.
- Spent roughly £40,000 on a Rolex watch.
After the initial splurges, he adopted a more careful financial approach. He bought houses, including a home in Yarm, Durham.
He also invested in a property development company. Wright insisted he would not have returned the money despite the mixed feelings.
Moving on from violence
Wright said he had quit hooliganism by the time of his win. He missed the camaraderie but rejected further violence.
He described terrace violence as like a drug. After a second prison term, he decided to stop for good.
Writing and a new source of reward
Wright has become a published author. His debut novel is Northern Monkey.
The book is loosely based on his rise in The Ointment and life in working-class Bradford. It also explores the local drug trade and social context.
He discussed these topics on the Liam Tuffs podcast in 2026. He said positive reviews now give him similar feelings to past thrills.
Reflection
Wright acknowledged the cash changed him. He also told listeners many winners may feel unexpectedly empty.
His story traces a path from street violence to sudden wealth and then to creative work and stability.
