With the start of the new Premier League nearly upon us, the Football Pools is planning to celebrate in style by bringing home the first big win of 2020/21 … a new world record.
Matches are officially back on Saturday 12th September, but two days before the first whistle football freestyle maestro John Farnworth aims to score another record to add to his amazing career tally.
He’ll be emulating the ball skills of one of the world’s greatest players at the headquarters of the nation’s oldest and best-loved football betting game.
The 34-year-old ball wizard, who already holds four Guinness World Records, will be hoping to land a fifth when he makes a live attempt on a scaled-down pitch at The Football Pools HQ in Liverpool.
The record for fastest time to complete 10 Maradona seven football (soccer) tricks currently stands at an incredible 29.78 seconds, and is held by teenager Tommy Boyd. He set the impressive time in Reading on December 9, 2017, taking the record from John who was the previous holder.
Alan Kennedy 
Derek Lloyd CEO 
Littlewoods Pools 
Pools Coupon 
TFP WAGS 
Roy Evans 
Pools Winner
Now, after standing unbroken for almost three years, John has his sights on snatching the record back from his young rival.
The Maradona seven involves kicking up the ball on his right or left foot then transferring it from that foot to the other. From there to his right thigh/knee then to his left thigh/knee, right shoulder to left shoulder, onto his head and from there back down to his right foot.
John’s attempt, from 12noon to 2pm on Thursday September 10, will be hosted by sports commentator Steve Hothersall and in front of an invited audience of VIP guests including footballing legends. Among those cheering him on will be Blues goal hero Graeme Sharp, former Reds boss Roy Evans and fan favourite Alan Kennedy, as well as Tony Green and Ian Callaghan who were busy during lockdown keeping the Pools Panel going.
John says he can’t wait to try and get the record back and add it to his collection.
“The Maradona 7 shows ultimate control of the ball – it will be a test, because the bar has been set high, but I’m hopefully going to smash the current time and it’ll be even more special to have some legends of the game there to see me do it in such a fitting place.”
The Football Pools marketing director John Stevens believes it will provide the perfect venue to create a new world record.
“We are the world’s oldest football gaming company, and we have been loved by generations of fans for almost 100 years,” he said. “In that time, we’ve been responsible for so many football firsts and lots of memorable events, but never anything quite like this.
“John has achieved so much in his career and, like The Footballs Pools, he’s known around the world for the innovation and excitement he’s brought to the game. That’s why we are delighted to host his record attempt and we hope to both start the new season with a title already won.”
For further information visit www.footballpools.com
