An amateur football club has scored their most lucrative win ever by securing £1million on the lottery after playing the same numbers for more than 30 years.
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club → score → years
Longlevens AFC, based in Gloucester, scooped the jackpot by matching five main numbers and the bonus ball in the draw last month.
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AFC → base → draw
The winning ticket was bought, as it is every week, by club president Bill Davis, 73, whose association with the team stretches back more than half a century.
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association → win → team
Mr Davis said: 'This is Longlevens AFC's win.
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I've been playing Lotto for decades as a member of the club, not as an individual, and I couldn't be happier.
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The club has been such a huge part of my life for around half a century, and I can't think of a better use for this money than helping secure its future for generations to come.'
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Mr Davis, who worked in the manufacturing sector until his retirement, first joined Longlevens AFC in the 1970s and played for various teams throughout the club.
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Over the years he has also served on the club's committee in a variety of roles, including serving behind the bar, and is currently the club's president.
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'There have been three main priorities in my life – family, football and work,' he said.
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Longlevens AFC, based in Gloucester, scooped £1million after playing the same numbers for more than 30 years
The winning ticket was bought, as it is every week, by club president Bill Davis (left),
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'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.'
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football → have → those
He added: 'There is absolutely no way I could have maintained that passion without their patience, support and encouragement, especially that of my wife, Linda.
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I → add → wife
She's been behind me every step of the way and we'll both enjoy the win, together with our sons Stephen and Andrew, who have followed in my footsteps and now bring their own passion and dedication to the club as members of the committee.
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who → enjoy → committee
The winning Lotto numbers – 1, 9, 15, 21, 32, 51 – also have a story stretching back almost as long as Mr Davis's association with the club.
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'When the National Lottery first started, six committee members each picked a number,' he said.
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'Some of those friends are sadly no longer with us, but we've kept playing that same line in every draw ever since.
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we → keep → draw
It's incredible to think that after all these years, those numbers have finally come good.
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numbers → think → years
We've proven anyone can win, but we might change the numbers up a bit.'
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we → prove → numbers
Mr Davis said the money would be used to secure the club's long-term future, and one possible option is purchasing the leased facilities.
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Mr Davis said the money would be used to secure the club's long-term future, and one possible option is purchasing the leased facilities
The first XI currently play in the Hellenic League Premier Division, which is at step five of the National League pyramid.
'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we want to make sure every pound delivers lasting benefits,' Mr Davis said.
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'The club is important to so many people, so we're taking a long-term view about how this money can help safeguard Longlevens AFC for many years to come.'
Members are now planning a celebration to mark the club's good fortune.
'Everyone involved with Longlevens AFC has contributed to making it the community club it is today and this feels like something the whole club can enjoy together,' he said.
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'I've always believed football clubs like Longlevens are about much more than football.
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They are about community, friendships, opportunities for young people, and bringing people together.
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As if to prove this point, our club only works because of the hard work, determination and passion of countless volunteers – this win is for all of them too.
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'If this windfall can help protect and grow what's already been put in place for future generations through everyone's hard graft, then that's what really matters.'
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what → help → graft
Andy Carter, from National Lottery operator Allwyn, said: 'After 32 years of playing Lotto, Bill Davis's £1 million win is truly remarkable, and the sort of story you'd expect to see on the big screen.
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you → say → screen
We're delighted for them and know the prize will have a lasting impact on the club's future.'
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prize → delight → future
The Aporia
