Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: EFL Championship, Preston North End, Football
Ryan Smart
A former Championship footballer once won an incredible €1 million on the lottery - while still contracted to his club.
Ex-Manchester United winger Cliff Bull made headlines earlier this week when he won £400,000 on the People's Postcode Lottery.
The 82-year-old was signed by Sir Matt Busby at the age of 15 in 1957 - months before the Munich Air Disaster took place.
Bull spent two years at Old Trafford before joining Nottingham Forest, but was forced to retire early due to injuries and retrained as a plumber.
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He is not the only footballer to scoop a huge lottery prize, however.
In December 2018, Preston North End left-back Kevin O'Connor won €1 million on the Irish lottery during his second season at Deepdale.
The ticket was given to him as a present from his uncle while he was visiting friends and family in Dublin.
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O'Connor revealed that his mother urged him to check his ticket after it was announced that the winning ticket had been sold locally.
The then 22-year-old sent a picture of his ticket, but told reporters that he 'put it to the back of my head' as he was preparing for North End's Championship clash against Middlesbrough.
"I never really believed that it was the winner of the one million euro prize," he said.
"It's been an incredible two days, and I don't think the win has sunk in yet. I have no immediate plans but will take a few days before we make any decisions.
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"The important part of today was having my family with me, so they will be at the forefront of any plans."
O'Connor signed for the north west club from Dundalk in 2017, days before Simon Grayson left the club to join Sunderland and was replaced by Alex Neil.
The Irishman was often second or third-choice during his first season at Deepdale, making his debut amidst an injury crisis in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in December 2017.
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He made eight Championship appearances before spending time out on loan at various clubs, including Fleetwood Town and Crewe Alexandra.
O'Connor's contract expired in 2020 and he joined Cork City on a free transfer, and spent two spells there - inbetween a short stint at fellow League of Ireland side Shelbourne.
He then took two years out of the game before signing for US third-tier side FC Naples in December 2024.