Private pitch is paradise for lottery millionaire
AFOOTBALL-mad lottery millionaire has splashed out on his own pitch, complete with a dugout on the touchline.
Former postman Matt Evans, 37, has turned his back garden into a mini soccer stadium so his mates can come for a kickabout.
The super-rich bachelor is blowing his fortune on his beloved beautiful game.
He said: “I’m living the dream by having my own pitch with life-size goals and all the white markings. I invite my old workmates around for a game and we sit in the dugout to talk about football. My dad sometimes comes along for a game but we usually ask him to play in goal.”
Matt was a £300-a-week postman three years ago, using jumpers for goalposts in his local park.
But after a lottery Lucky Dip netted him £2,604,015 he’s living the life of a Premiership soccer star.
Matt flies around the world to cheer on his beloved Wales football team and his hero, Gareth Bale.
And he supports Championship leaders Cardiff City home and away.
Matt, from Barry, said: “I know I’m very lucky to follow my dreams and I joke that my life is like living in a Carlsberg TV advert. But I’m still one of the lads who just loves sport.”
Despite his £600,000 luxury home and £100,000 BMW M6 Matt has not scored with the girls.
He said: “I’m happier being single so I can pursue the real love of my life – football. I love having the lads around for a game on my pitch.”
If rain stops play Matt and his mates head inside to watch footie on his 88-inch TV in the games room.
Matt and his pals will be at Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Austria in Cardiff tomorrow before jetting off to watch them play in Moldova.
Matt said: “I was a postman all my life, getting up at 5am and walking eight miles a day in all weathers. I was bitten by dogs and I’ve got the scars to prove it – including one on my bum.
“I always said that if I won the lottery I’d spend the money on watching football, and now I can play in my own back yard.”
A Camelot spokeswoman said: “Winning the lottery has changed Matt’s life but it hasn’t changed him.
“He’s a down-to-earth guy.”