Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest news from Newcastle 🏀 straight to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest news from Newcastle straight to your inbox
A Newcastle 🏀 dad who won £5.4m from an online slot game has married his partner at James' Park - with Betfred boss 🏀 Fred Done as the guest of honour.
Newcastle United fan Michael Clark, 32, tied the knot with bride Sherelle Pooley in 🏀 a glitzy ceremony on Thursday, July 6, six months after his life-changing windfall. And the couple, who became Betfred's biggest-ever 🏀 winners in its 56-year history, made sure to show their appreciation by inviting the bookie boss to join them on 🏀 their special day.
Michael's 'rags to riches journey' began last Christmas when he won £5.4m from a £1.40 spin on the 🏀 King Kong Cashpots online slot game. Life has taken a big upturn for the couple and their three children ever 🏀 since.
READ MORE: Join ChronicleLive's Whatsapp community for breaking news and top stories
Michael splashed £750,000 on a five-bedroom Killingworth home, paid 🏀 for in cash, a world away from where the newlyweds used to live on Walker council estate. Michael has also 🏀 bought a quad bike, electric motorcycle, jacuzzi and a pool table.
“It’s been absolute chaos since I became not just a 🏀 millionaire, but a multi-millionaire. There’s no denying it – it’s been absolutely manic," he said.
“I’ve taken proper advice about investing 🏀 my money, but as a family, we are determined to enjoy ourselves.
“It’s brilliant that Fred, who is such a down-to-earth 🏀 fella, has made all this possible. I was chuffed to bits when he turned up to celebrate our big day. 🏀 Without him, this wouldn't have been possible."
Michael has also made sure his parents also have new homes, while he and 🏀 Sherelle have been touring Scotland, the Lake District and Bridlington in their brand new £60,000 campervan.
"I’m passionate about my family 🏀 and if I can help people I will," Michael said.
“I chose the venue for the wedding, while Sherelle chose everything 🏀 else. She always wanted a big wedding and she certainly had that.
“Soon I’ll have passed my driving test and then 🏀 I can go car shopping. I thought at first maybe a Tesla, but now I’ve got my eyes on a 🏀 Range Rover because it’ll be better for getting the family around."
Michael who is a huge Newcastle United supporter, has been 🏀 unable to get his hands on season tickets at St James’ Park but settled for shirts with Mr and Mrs 🏀 Clark on the back for now.
Sherelle didn’t even have a passport before their huge lifestyle change, but in the first 🏀 six months of this year they’ve been to Amsterdam three times, Tenerife – and are due to go on a 🏀 £13,000 luxury honeymoon to Dubai and the Maldives.
Michael also replaced Sherelle’s engagement ring with one costing £7,000 and splashed out 🏀 again on diamond earrings, a necklace and a bracelet for her 28th birthday.
Sherelle said: "We have been together for 11 🏀 years and engaged for seven. We would probably have got married when we could have afforded it at a registry 🏀 office.
"Now we can afford all this, not just for us, but for all family and friends who are so important 🏀 to us. It's just fantastic and what a start to married life."
However, Michael said he is still partial to a 🏀 Greggs and KFC - the place where he met wife Sherelle more than a decade ago.
“I still enjoy a Greggs 🏀 bacon sandwich for breakfast, while KFC remains a special place for us as it’s where Sherelle and I met 11 🏀 years ago,” he went on.
“I go for a Zinger Stacker, but she always has a fillet with no sauce. That’s 🏀 what she had when I used to work at KFC and she tracked me down to another branch and we 🏀 went for a coffee. At least I know she’s not after my money!”
Betfred boss Fred Done said ot was 'wonderful' 🏀 to share in Michael and Sherelle’s big day.
"I feel proud that Betfred made it all possible," he said.
"They can look 🏀 forward to a fantastic life. His good fortune proves two things – nice guys can have all the luck and 🏀 anyone can win big from tiny stakes at Betfred.”
