An Ayr United fan has told how he clocked off shift to discover he'd hit the jackpot. Chef James McKinlay has plundered the club's biggest ever lottery win, landing a £15,500 prize.
James, who works at the town's Treehouse restaurant, matched four numbers to scoop the big rollover which was last won 13 months ago. He admits he was stunned to learn of the payout when receiving a call from club chiefs.
Shock at the payout
He told the Ayrshire Post: "I once matched four numbers on the EuroMillions and got £57 for it. So I couldn't believe it when I was told this was paying £15,500...I think I just swore down the phone!"
"Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, I'm still in shock. I just play the lottery to support the club and to be honest it's not something I even think about from week to week. So to receive the call was a complete shock."
No real plans for the winnings
Honest Man James, 37, admits he has "no real plans" for his new found riches. He joked: "Hardly anyone knows I've won, although that will no doubt soon change! I'll still be clocking on for my breakfast shift on Saturday like normal."
"A lot of people say you never win these types of things but I guess I'm proof that you can."
Club's biggest ever winner
United general manager Martin Tocker added: "James has been a long term player of our lottery and we're delighted that his persistence has paid off with this big win."
"He becomes our biggest ever winner and it takes the total paid out by our lottery to almost £70,000 since July '22. As ever the lottery remains a fantastic way to support the club and we're thrilled to have yet another worthy winner in James."
