Al Johnson

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Learning his football tricks growing up in Stockton-On-Tees, England, Al Johnson has developed them and put together a breathtaking football freestyle display. As a teenager, Al was on trial at Sunderland Football Club and played until he was 17 when he suffered a bad injury which ended his potential football career. At the age of 19 Al was a semi-finalist in the 2003 Nike Freestyle Competition. The very next year Al finished third in the World Freestyle Championships in London.

In the summer of 2005 Al set up his base in Motherwell, Scotland and turned pro as a freestyler and he soon became known as Scotland's No.1 Freestyler.

He has performed half-time and pre-match shows for football clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Hull City and Motherwell and is regularly involved in school health weeks and Church events. In November 2007 Al performed his amazing routine alongside Westlife at the Norwegian Football Awards in Lillestrom, Norway. He has also been a support act for hip hop great Ja Rule.

As well as having worked all over the UK, Al has travelled across the globe to perform and coach, including countries such as Syria, Uganda, Kazakhstan, Switzerland and the United States. Al is an FA and Scottish FA qualified football coach and works regularly with local councils, charities, churches and youth groups.

Comments

"Al's tricks are great to watch, a real crowd pleaser. He is extremely creative with a football" - Pat Jennings, OBE

"Apart from his obvious gifts as a football freestyler, Al's skills relating to young people are second to none. He is a dedicated and professional young man." - Wendy Tucker, The Life Skills Academy

"I have been both impressed and entertained with Al Johnson's fantastic ball control skills. He can do amazing tricks with an ordinary football and people, whether they are into football or not, are fascinated by what he does." - Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, England World Cup winner 1966

"We are delighted with the response Al received from the crowd during our match against Rangers. Al's freestyle display engaged and entertained both sets of supporters, even a few of our players stopped to watch him in action! It was certainly the best reaction we have experienced to half-time entertainment in recent seasons. We will most certainly be working with Al in the future." - Lisa Sheran, Marketing Coordinator, Aberdeen Football Club

"All pupils and staff were impressed both by Al's incredible freestyle tricks and skills but also by his professional attitude and interpersonal skills. Pupils at Kinross High School ask when Al is returning to show off more tricks." - Mark Somerville, Healthy Living Coordinator, Kinross High School