John Farnworth

British freestyle footballer

John Farnworth

Farnworth performing in Singapore in 2011, where he broke two records

Born|  (1986-01-18) January 18, 1986 (age 37)

Longridge, Lancashire, England

Nationality| British
Known for| football freestyler

John Farnworth (born 18 January 1986) is a football freestyler, entertainer,[1] and actor. He holds four Guinness World Records including the most around the worlds in under a minute. [2]

## Biography[edit]

Farnworth was born in Longridge, and grew up in Preston. He apprenticed as footballer in the youth teams of Preston North End, yet is a Manchester United supporter.

Farnworth's grandfather played for Accrington Stanley, & attracted interest from Burnley FC. His grandfather went on to be a headteacher, & one of 150 invited to Buckingham Palace.

At the age of 14, Farnworth read Simon Clifford's Learn to play the Brazilian Way and, giving up professional football aspirations, started to practice the freestyle skills that were illustrated in the book. After a year of training, Farnworth joined one of the Clifford-franchised Brazilian Soccer Schools, in Manchester. The schools' Futebol de Salão use a size-two weighted ball which aids and improves skilful play.

Farnworth went to St Cecilia's School in Longridge and Cardinal Newman College in Preston, where he performed at every opportunity he got. Both his school & college supported his ambitions.

Farnworth presently holds eight Guinness World Records, and has travelled the world performing & presenting motivational talks. He is a regular on the BBC.

## Career[edit]

In 2004, Farnworth met with football performer Mr. Woo who invited him to his exhibition contest in London, which Farnworth won through the guidance of David Ward. The win brought him media exposure in the United Kingdom and abroad and Farnworth started touring, exhibiting his skills. In December 2006, he competed in the "Masters of The Game" tournament and won by defeating his teacher and idol Mr Woo.

Farnworth is now a freestyle professional, participating in exhibitions,[3] openings of soccer schools,[4] sports games entertainment [5] and various contests. He is also involved in coaching, corporate events and TV advertisements, he has also recently won the eurobac beating many of the best freestylers around the world. A demonstration by Farnworth inspired a young Indi Cowie to take up freestyle football.[6]

Farnworth appeared in the Huddersfield Town 2009/2010 kit commercial alongside other players from the squad and has been a part of the halftime entertainment a few times as well.

Farnworth participated in the 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent, where he passed the first round, but failed to make it to the live semi finals.

In 2010, Farnworth appeared as a mystery guest on Russell Howard's Good News and in 2011 he ran the London Marathon and now holds the record for successfully completing the race while doing continuous kickups.

In January 2013 Farnworth also appeared as a personal injury claimant in the Claims TV video 'John Farnworth uses Claims TV'. This is a comedy video based around a client (Farnworth) being involved in an accident and is now suffering from 'Keepy-Up Syndrome'.

Farnworth also makes guest appearances on Match of the Day Kickabout, showing his skills and tricks.

In 2014 Farnworth made several appearances in support of Football Flick, a popular skill training unit. Recent appearances have featured him participating in weekly installments dubbed 'Trickster Tuesday'.

In 2017, Farnworth appeared in the second series of CBBC series Jamie Johnson, appearing as Theo Bains.

## See also[edit]

* Freestyle football
* World Freestyle Football Association

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Keeping uppie with Freestyling World Champ". BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
2. ^ "Most ball control tricks in one minute, 'around the world'". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
3. ^ "Brazilian Soccer School launched at Hatfield Leisure Centre". Fitness Leisu Partnership. Retrieved 2008-04-19.[permanent dead link]
4. ^ "Soccer Samba". BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
5. ^ "Round the World Record with soccer freestyler and Leeds Carnegie". Leeds Metropolitan University. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
6. ^ Crothers, Tim (25 March 2011). "A Soccer Phenom Puts the 'I' in Team". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2015.

## External links[edit]

* Official John Farnworth website

* v
* t
* e

Britain's Got Talent

* Episodes

Series|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 15
* 16

Presenters|

Ant & Dec

Judges|

* Simon Cowell
* Alesha Dixon
* David Hasselhoff
* Amanda Holden
* Michael McIntyre
* Piers Morgan
* Bruno Tonioli
* David Walliams

Winners|

* Paul Potts
* George Sampson
* Diversity
* Spelbound
* Jai McDowall
* Ashleigh and Pudsey
* Attraction
* Collabro
* Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse
* Richard Jones
* Tokio Myers
* Lost Voice Guy
* Colin Thackery
* Jon Courtenay
* Axel Blake
* Viggo Venn

Runners-up|

* Signature
* Susan Boyle
* Twist and Pulse
* Ronan Parke
* Jonathan and Charlotte
* Jack Carroll

Third-place|

* Andrew Johnston
* Julian Smith
* Only Boys Aloud
* Richard & Adam
* Bars and Melody
* Côr Glanaethwy
* Daliso Chaponda
* Ben Hart

Other notable
contestants|

| Finalist|

* Bessie Cursons
* Connie Talbot
* Damon Scott
* Bar Wizards
* Andrew Johnston
* Escala
* Faryl Smith
* Kate and Gin
* Aidan Davis
* Flawless
* Hollie Steel
* Julian Smith
* Shaheen Jafargholi
* Connected
* Paul Burling
* Kai & Natalia
* Loveable Rogues
* Molly Rainford
* Only Boys Aloud
* Ryan O'Shaughnessy
* The Mend
* Asanda
* Francine Lewis
* Richard & Adam
* Gabz
* Luminites
* Steve Hewlett
* Jon Clegg
* Paddy & Nico
* Calum Scott
* Isaac Waddington
* Old Men Grooving
* Beau Dermott
* Missing People Choir
* B Positive Choir
* Giang Brothers
* Jonathan Goodwin
* Nabil Abdulrashid
* Loren Allred
* Ghetto Kids
* Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura

|

Semi-finalist|

* Jake Pratt
* Charlie Green
* Charlie Wernham
* Dean John-Wilson
* Jeremy Lynch
* DJ Talent
* Merlin Cadogan
* Sue Son
* Kev Orkian
* Stevie Starr
* Herbie Armstrong
* Nathan Wyburn
* Out of the Blue
* The Circus of Horrors
* Billy George
* Paige Turley
* The Jive Aces
* The Zimmers
* AJ & Chloe
* Ed Drewett
* Light Balance
* Alison Jiear
* Lorraine Bowen
* Rachael Wooding
* Destiny Chukunyere
* Jess Robinson
* Father Ray Kelly
* Akshat Singh
* Barbara Nice
* John Archer
* The Queen
* Beth Porch
* London Community Gospel Choir
* Titan the Robot
* Chickenshed
* MB14

Related|

* Britain's Got Talent: The Champions

* Category

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