Lottery winner was Harry Maguire's team-mate and dubbed "ginger John Terry"

Former Sheffield United footballer Tel Kennedy has won £1million on The National Lottery, three years after quitting the sport.

It caps off a remarkable decade for the ex-defender, who was playing alongside Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire 10 years ago.

Kennedy and Maguire, both 28, came through the ranks together at Sheff Utd in 2011 - a notable year in the club's history.

The Blades suffered relegation to League One under Micky Adams, but their youngsters reached the Youth Cup final against Man Utd.

Kennedy partnered Maguire at centre-back for the two-legged tie, with several future stars appearing at both Bramall Lane and Old Trafford.

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Man Utd's team sheet included Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Michael Keane and Sam Johnstone - as well as Ravel Morrison.

And Sheff Utd's starting XI wasn't bad either, featuring current EFL stars George Long, Elliott Whitehouse, Callum McFadzean and Joe Ironside.

Man Utd went on to win 6-3 on aggregate but the performances of Kennedy and Maguire both saw them handed their senior debuts before the end of the 2010-11 season.

Maguire made a particularly impressive bow for the Blades, starring against Wales international Craig Bellamy in a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.

Although their relegation to League One was all but confirmed by that point, the future England international's performance offered Sheffield Utd fans hope for the future.

"He looked composed and had a surety about his game, he handled the ball well - as he can do," Adams told The Athletic in 2019. "It was as good a debut as he could possibly have wished for."

But Sheffield Utd also believed in Kennedy, handing him his debut against Swansea in May 2011 - alongside Maguire - once relegation had been confirmed.

Danny Wilson, Adams' replacement at Bramall Lane, was planning on giving both youngsters a chance in League One as the Blades looked to bounce back to the Championship.

Maguire went on to feature 56 times during the 2011-12 campaign - winning the club's Player of the Year award - but Kennedy didn't play a second due to a knee complaint.

Maguire then defended his Player of the Year crown the following season - making a further 53 appearances - yet Kennedy played just once as his injury struggles continued.

Sheffield Utd, however, gave the talent a new contract. Another extension would fellow 18 months later, despite injuries continuing to blight his career.

"Terry is a no-nonsense defender, the type of which are particularly appreciated at Bramall Lane," said manager Nigel Clough in January 2015.

Clough and first-team coach Chris Morgan - a legendary defender at Bramall Lane - are believed to have labelled him the "ginger John Terry" as hope remained.

But in the summer of 2016 - shortly after Maguire was promoted to the Premier League with Hull - Kennedy was released by the Blades with just 24 senior appearances to his name.

"Strange to be leaving the club I've been at since I was 7 years old," wrote the player on Twitter. "Not been offered a new deal and hopefully start fresh elsewhere next season.

"Been a frustrating season personally as I feel I didn't get a fair chance but that's football."

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Kennedy persevered with his career - spending time at Alfreton, Harrogate and Guiseley - but is not thought to have played since the 2018-19 campaign.

As Maguire went on to star for England and Man Utd - earning fame and fortune - injury denied his old defensive partner the chance to follow suit... or so it seemed.

Kennedy has become a millionaire after all, yet not how most would've imagined a decade ago.