John Farnworth
Encyclopedia
John Farnworth is a football freestyler
and entertainer. He holds four Guinness World Records
including the most around the worlds in under a minute
, and grew up in Preston. He apprenticed as footballer in the youth teams of Preston North End, yet John is a Manchester United supporter.
Farnworth's grandfather was a defender at Accrington Stanley, and his father formerly played for Burnley
.
At the age of 14, he 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-franchise
d Brazilian Soccer Schools, in Manchester
. The schools' Futebol de Salão
use a size-two weighted ball which aids and improves skilful play.
He went to St Cecilia's School in Longridge where he performed at every opportunity he got.
He is now a freestyle professional, participating in exhibitions, openings of soccer schools, sports games entertainment 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.
He 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 he 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 whilst doing continuous kickups.
Farnworth also makes guest appearances appears on Match of the Day Kickabout
, showing his skills and tricks.
Freestyle Football
Freestyle football, also known as freestyle soccer in North America, is the art of expressing yourself with a football, while performing various tricks with any part of the body...
and entertainer. He holds four Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
including the most around the worlds in under a minute
Biography
John Farnworth was born in LongridgeLongridge
Longridge is a small town and civil parish in the borough of Ribble Valley in Lancashire, England. It is situated north-east of the city of Preston, at the western end of Longridge Fell, a long ridge above the River Ribble. Its nearest neighbours are Grimsargh and the Roman town of Ribchester , ...
, and grew up in Preston. He apprenticed as footballer in the youth teams of Preston North End, yet John is a Manchester United supporter.
Farnworth's grandfather was a defender at Accrington Stanley, and his father formerly played for Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
.
At the age of 14, he 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-franchise
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
d Brazilian Soccer Schools, in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. The schools' Futebol de Salão
Futebol de Salão
Futebol de Salão is a Portuguese word that, in spite of meaning futsal in its original language, has come to be used in English to designate a slightly modified version of the FIFA-sanctioned five-a-side football...
use a size-two weighted ball which aids and improves skilful play.
He went to St Cecilia's School in Longridge where he performed at every opportunity he got.
Career
In 2004, John Farnworth met with football performer Mr Woo who invited him to his exhibition contest in London, which Farnworth won. 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.He is now a freestyle professional, participating in exhibitions, openings of soccer schools, sports games entertainment 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.
He 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
Britain's Got Talent (series 3)
The 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent was the third series of the programme. It began airing on ITV on 11 April. The 2009 panel of judges consisted of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan...
, where he passed the first round, but failed to make it to the live semi finals.
In 2010 he appeared as a mystery guest on Russell Howard's Good News
Russell Howard's Good News
Russell Howard's Good News is a British comedy and topical news show broadcast on BBC Three and, since the show's fourth series, BBC HD. Hosted by comedian Russell Howard, he offers his commentary on the news of the week using mostly standup, but including sketches and guest appearances from people...
and in 2011 he ran the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
and now holds the record for successfully completing the race whilst doing continuous kickups.
Farnworth also makes guest appearances appears on Match of the Day Kickabout
Match of the Day Kickabout
Match of the Day Kickabout is a British children's television football programme broadcast on CBBC. It is presented by Ore Oduba and is a spin-off from the long running weekly Match of the Day...
, showing his skills and tricks.