Longlevens AFC wins £1m Lotto jackpot after 30 years playing the same six numbers

Longlevens AFC, an amateur football club based in Gloucester, has won £1 million on the National Lottery after its 73-year-old president Bill Davis matched five main numbers plus the bonus ball in a draw held last month — the culmination of more than 30 years of playing the same line on behalf of the club.

Davis, who first joined Longlevens in the 1970s and has served the club in roles ranging from committee member to bar staff to his current position as president, was clear that the windfall belongs to the club rather than himself. “This is Longlevens AFC’s win,” he said. “I’ve been playing Lotto for decades as a member of the club, not as an individual, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The winning numbers — 1, 9, 15, 21, 32, 51 — carry their own history. When the National Lottery launched, six committee members each chose one number to form the line the club has played in every draw since. “Some of those friends are sadly no longer with us, but we’ve kept playing that same line in every draw ever since,” Davis said. “It’s incredible to think that after all these years, those numbers have finally come good.”

Davis, who worked in manufacturing before retiring, has maintained a connection to Longlevens spanning more than half a century. His sons Stephen and Andrew are now committee members themselves, continuing a family association with the club that has run across generations. He paid tribute to his wife Linda, saying the dedication he has given to Longlevens would have been impossible without her support.

“There have been three main priorities in my life — family, football and work,” he said. “My wife might have a few things to say about the order I’ve put those in, but whilst family will always come first, football comes a close second.”

The club intends to use the money to secure its long-term future, with one option under consideration being the purchase of its currently leased facilities. Longlevens AFC’s first XI compete in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Davis confirmed the club has no plans to stop entering the lottery, though he hinted the numbers may finally change. “There’s no reason whatsoever to stop playing now. We’ve proven anyone can win, but we might change the numbers up a bit.”