A PROFESSIONAL freestyle footballer is poised to visit nine Isle of Wight schools later this month.

Guinness World Record holder, Ash Randell, will be visiting Queensgate Primary, St Thomas of Canterbury, Nine Acres Primary, Gurnard Primary, Lanesend Primary, Ryde School, Yarmouth Primary, Shalfleet Primary and Gatten and Lake Primary between May 22 and 24.

His aim is to inspire pupils by showing off some of his silky skills and discussing the challenges and failures he has faced while chasing records.

“I'll be inviting pupils and teachers to join in and learn a few skills with me,” said Ash.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ash Randell freestyling in New York. Ash Randell freestyling in New York. (Image: Ash Randell)

“I got into freestyle football around 17 years ago when I was 16.

“I was inspired by footballer, Edgar Davids, who did an 'around the world' football trick during a Nike TV commercial.

“Since then, I've been lucky enough to travel around the world, performing in places such as China, Kuwait, USA, Canada and Egypt.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ash Randell in Mumbai, India.Ash Randell in Mumbai, India. (Image: Ash Randell)

“Since 2010, I've broken 25 Guinness World Records for various football skills and featured in various Guinness books, including the 2023 version.

“I've worked with and performed for footballers such as Thierry Henry, Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney and Pele.

“Over the last eight years I've been visiting schools nationwide.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ash Randell in Rome, Italy.Ash Randell in Rome, Italy. (Image: Ash Randell.)

“I've visited more than 550 schools, showcasing freestyle football, and talking to pupils about perseverance and what it takes to learn and develop new skills and all the practice and the failures that go with it.

“My aim when visiting schools is to leave pupils feeling excited and inspired to try new sports and activities, whether it be football freestyle, or something else they're passionate about.”

Some of Ash’s achievements include:

  • Juggling a football for 13.1 miles during the Cardiff Half-Marathon.
  • Climbing 42 floors and 932 stairs while balancing a football on his back up Tower 42.
  • Breaking a Guinness World Record on live TV in China.
  • Juggling a football on the roof of a moving car down Cardiff Airport runway.
  • Appearing in a Bollywood movie, football free styling with one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Shahrukh Khan.