Daniel Wright, a notorious former football hooligan turned published author, has candidly shared how winning £1,000,000 on the EuroMillions lottery left him feeling "gutted" and drove him "a little bit insane." The Bradford City supporter, who was a leading figure in the football firm known as The Ointment, won the prize on the UK Millionaire Marker in 2022, just four years after his second release from prison for football-related violence.
Initial Euphoria Turns to Discomfort
While his initial reaction to the jackpot was one of euphoria, Wright revealed that the excitement quickly faded. "After about a couple of weeks of the joy of it... I didn't like the feeling of it," he said. He explained that he had always earned his own money and done well, so the sudden windfall made him feel like a "lucky b*****d" who hadn't worked for the fortune. This thought process, he admitted, used to drive him insane and led him to blow some of the money simply because he disliked the feeling of undeserved luck.
Extravagant Spending Spree
Wright described how he initially spent his winnings lavishly, acting as if he were a billionaire like Richard Branson. He traveled to Jamaica, rented a villa, and visited Vegas, where he indulged in his love for gambling, losing approximately £60,000 in a single weekend. Additionally, he splurged £40,000 on a Rolex watch, embracing a lifestyle of excess.
Realisation and Responsibility
However, Wright soon realised he needed to be more sensible with his finances. He shifted his focus to investments, purchasing houses, including his current home in Yarm, Durham, and putting money into a property development company. Despite his earlier struggles, he clarified that he would not have given the money back, acknowledging that the cash "changed" him as a person for the better.
Life Beyond Hooliganism
By the time of his lottery win, Wright had already quit football hooliganism, a decision made after his second prison stint when he concluded he "can't be doing this any more." He described the violence as "like a drug" but noted that he missed the camaraderie of the terrace culture. Now, he finds similar endorphin rushes through positive reviews of his written work as a published author.
Literary Pursuits
Wright's first novel, "Northern Monkey," is loosely based on his rise in The Ointment firm but delves deeper into working-class life in Bradford, exploring themes like the drug trade within his fictional stories. This new chapter in his life has provided a more peaceful and fulfilling outlet for his energies, contrasting sharply with his turbulent past.
In a recent podcast appearance, host Liam Tuffs remarked that Wright must be the only person to win a million pounds and feel "absolutely gutted." Wright countered, "I think everyone is gutted but nobody has ever told you that," highlighting the complex emotional impact of sudden wealth that many lottery winners might experience but rarely discuss openly.
